What is a planning report? Plan Search Plus
06/11/2017
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4 min read
A planning report (Plansearch Plus) provides detailed information about current and prior planning history of a property and information about land use policies.
Whereas a Local Authority Search highlights planning permission on your property, the Plan Search Plus identifies planning applications in your local area, information about local amenities, education and crime rates.
Buying a home in an area that is being over developed could have a negative impact on your property price.
Mortgage Lenders do not normally require you to book a planning report - it is not among their stipulated property searches.
However, there may be circumstances where you are advised to get one, or, you may simply want the peace of mind which accompanies receiving highly detailed and comprehensive local information, which is relevant to the property you are looking to buy.
Order your Planning Report (Plansearch Plus) for just £40 by calling 0333 344 3234
Fixed Fee – No Sale No Fee – On all Mortgage Lender Panels

What's in a Planning Report?
- Planning Applications
These include commercial and residential planning applications, including decisions on larger applications which may affect your property.
- Land Use Designations
This section gives a highly comprehensive report on land use designations - which is when land is to be compulsorily given over to a particular use, such as building - which may affect your property at present or in the future.
- Housing and Neighbourhood Demographics
This section gives detailed information about the type and style of housing in an area and average prices, neighbourhood data including population demographics.
- Amenities and Education
This section gives details about local amenities such as doctors' surgeries, dentists, recycling centres, libraries etc. and about local schools, including how these have performed in league tables.
- Radio and Telephone Masts
This section gives information about where radio and telephone masks are located.
- Rights of Way
This section gives information about local rights of way.
Order your Planning Report (Plansearch Plus) for just £40 by calling 0333 344 3234
Fixed Fee – No Sale No Fee – On all Mortgage Lender Panels
Frequently Asked Questions
Restrictive covenants & easements will appear on the title deed which you can get from HM Land Registry
You can find out about planning applications affecting any property by going through your local council's website.
If a planning application has been made on your property, you will be able to see the house plans submitted at that time.
You have 'permitted development rights' which allow you to build extensions within certain limitations. Generally any work to the front of a house, next to a road or near a boundary will require planning permission.
If you meet all of the green checks for your type of extension, you do not need planning permission. If you meet any of the red crosses for your type of extension, you will need planning permission.
Don't Need Permission | Need Permission | |
All extensions |
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Side extensions |
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! building regs must be met on any work | ||
Rear extension single-storey |
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*Developments 4-8 metres to the rear of the property: you must adhere to the neighbour consultation scheme and contact your local planning office. | ||
Rear extension two-storey |
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*Unless opening part is 1.7 metres higher than the floor of the room |
Planning Portal is: 'The home of planning and building regulations information in England and the national online planning application service'
You can access interactive guides and common project helpers, as well as submit your application for planning permission and building control.

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