CON29 local land search guidance notes

A land charge is a restriction or claim on a property, like planning conditions or tree preservation orders. It is checked when buying a house.

There are two parts:

local land charges, form LLC1: shows charges (for example planning consents)
local authority search, form CON29 covers planning, highways and environmental details.

For more information about local land charges visit our Local land charges page.

We have provided some guidance on how to find the information needed to complete a local authority search form CON29.

Questions and guidance
1. Planning and building regulations
1.1 Planning and Building decisions and pending applications Which of the following relating to the property have been granted, issued or refused or (where applicable) are the subject of pending applications or agreements?
a. a planning permission b. a listed building consent c. a conservation area consent d. a certificate of lawfulness of existing use or development e. a certificate of lawfulness of proposed use or development f. a certificate of lawfulness of proposed works for listed buildings Guidance These are available on our online planning application system - Public Access from July 1974. To get any applications and decisions before July 1974 you will need to pay for a history search. Please contact planning.technical@westsuffolk.gov.uk for more information.
g. a heritage partnership agreement h. a listed building consent order i. a local listed building consent order Guidance None.
j. building regulations approval k. a building regulation completion certificate and l. any building regulations certificate or notice issued in respect of work carried out under a competent person self-certification scheme? Guidance The information on our online planning application system - Public Access for building control records will only show applications that have either commenced, are pending consideration or completed. Please note that records older than 15 years from date of completion inspection are deleted or archived in line with building control performance standards. Records not complete and older than three years from date of last requested inspection are archived. Please contact building.control@westsuffolk.gov.uk for more information
1.2 Planning designations and proposals What designations of land use for the property or the area, and what specific proposals for the property are contained in any existing or proposed development plan? Guidance This information can be found on our Local plans webpages.
2. Roads and public rights of way
Roadways, footways and footpaths 2.1 Which of the roads, footways and footpaths named in the application for this search (using boxes B and C) are: a. highways maintainable at public expense b. subject to adoption and, supported by a bond or bond waiver c. to be made up by a local authority who will reclaim the cost from the frontagers d. to be adopted by a local authority without reclaiming the cost from the frontagers. Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
Public rights of way 2.2 Is any public right of way which abuts on, or crosses the property, shown on a definitive map or revised definitive map? 2.3 Are there any pending applications to record a public right of way that abuts, or crosses the property, on a definitive map or revised definitive map? 2.4 Are there any legal orders to stop up, divert, alter or create a public right of way which abuts, or crosses the property not yet implemented or shown on a definitive map? 2.5 If so, please attach a plan showing the approximate route. Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
3. Others matters Apart from matters entered on the registers of local land charges, do any of the following matters apply to the property? If so, how can copies of relevant documents be obtained?
3.1. Land required for public purposes Is the property included in land required for public purposes? Guidance Although nothing is specifically identified on the development plan as land required for public purposes, it has been known in some very rare cases for people to own (without our knowledge) areas of public open space.
3.2. Land to be acquired for roadworks Is the property included in land to be acquired for roadworks? Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
3.3. Drainage matters Do either of the following exist in relation to the property: a. Is the property served by a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) which is adopted by the SuDS Approval Body (SAB) for which there will be a surface water drainage charge? b. Are there adopted SuDS features within the boundary of the property? If yes, is the owner responsible for maintenance? c. If the property benefits from a SuDS for which there is a charge, who bills the property for the surface water drainage charge? Guidance Our records do not allow for the provision of comprehensive answers in relation to this question. It is advisable that the purchaser undertakes checks of planning approvals, Section 106 agreements and with the vendor to establish whether any sustainable urban drainage systems are in place at the property.
3.4. Nearby road schemes Is the property (or will it be) within 200 metres of any of the following? a. the centre line of a new trunk road or special road specified in any order, draft order or scheme b. the centre line of a proposed alteration or improvement to an existing road involving construction of a subway, underpass, flyover, footbridge, elevated road or dual carriageway c. the outer limits of construction works for a proposed alteration or improvement to an existing road, involving: construction of a roundabout (other than a mini roundabout), or widening by construction of one or more additional traffic lanes d. the outer limits of: construction of a new road to be built by a local authority, an approved alteration or improvement to an existing road involving construction of a subway, underpass, flyover, footbridge, elevated road or dual carriageway, construction of a roundabout (other than a mini roundabout) or widening by construction of one or more additional traffic lanes e. the centre line of the proposed route of a new road under proposals published for public consultation f. the outer limits of: construction of a proposed alteration or improvement to an existing road involving construction of a subway, underpass, flyover, footbridge, elevated road or dual carriageway construction a roundabout (other than a mini roundabout) widening by construction of one or more additional traffic lanes, under proposals published for public consultation. Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
3.5. Nearby railway schemes a. Is the property (or will it be) within 200 metres of the centre line of a proposed railway, tramway, light railway or monorail? b. Are there any proposals for a railway, tramway, light railway or monorail within the local authority’s boundary? Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk Please also consult our Local plans webpages.
3.6. Traffic schemes Has a local authority approved but not yet implemented any of the following for the roads, footways and footpaths which are named in Boxes B and C and are within 200 metres of the boundaries of the property? a. permanent stopping up or diversion b. waiting or loading restrictions c. one way driving d. prohibition of driving e. pedestrianisation f. vehicle width or weight restriction g. traffic calming works including road humps h. residents parking controls i. minor road widening or improvement j. pedestrian crossings k. cycle tracks l. bridge building Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
3.7. Outstanding notices Do any statutory notices which relate to the following matters subsist in relation to the property other than those revealed in response to any other enquiry in this form?
a. building works b. environment c. health and safety d. housing f. public health Guidance Please send requests by email to land.charges@westsuffolk.gov.uk
e. highways Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
g. flood and coastal erosion risk management Guidance Please refer your enquiry to the Environment Agency.
For more information on how to access these records, please visit our Access to records and copy documents webpage.
3.8. Contravention of building regulations Has a local authority authorised in relation to the property any proceedings for the contravention of any provision contained in building regulations? Guidance Please send requests by email to land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
3.9. Notices, orders, directions and proceedings under planning acts a. an enforcement notice b. a stop notice c. a listed building enforcement notice d. a breach of condition notice e. a planning contravention notice f. another notice relating to breach of planning control g. a listed building repairs notice h. in the case of a listed building deliberately allowed to fall into disrepair, a compulsory purchase order with a direction for minimum compensation i. a building preservation notice j. a direction restricting permitted development k. an order revoking or modifying a planning permission l. an order requiring discontinuance of use or alteration or removal of building or works m. a tree preservation order n. proceedings to enforce a planning agreement or planning contribution
Enforcement Register Guidance The register is only a list of enforcement notices issued, not a log of open or pending cases. A list of notices from April 2019 is available on our Breaches of planning permission (planning enforcement) webpage, older notices are by appointment at our offices. The actual notice is available to view by appointment, the same with historic notices. No fee for a copy of notice if requested. Please email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk as we may have information that is not available online.
Article 4 Guidance Served articles are available to view on our Article 4 Directions webpage. Please email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk as we may have information that is not available online.
Tree preservation orders (TPOs) Guidance Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) associated with individual properties can be viewed online using Find my nearest, by searching for the property address or postcode.
Building preservation Guidance Order Information is available to view on our Article 4 Directions webpage.
Order revoking planning permission or modifying Guidance This information is available on our online planning application system - Public Access.
Another notice of breach of condition Guidance The Enforcement Register can be viewed on our Breaches of planning permission (planning enforcement) webpage To check online decision notices please use our online planning application system - Public Access. Decision notices will list conditions that must be complied with for each application.
Planning contravention notice Guidance Please send requests by email to land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
Listed Building Repairs Notice Guidance This information can be viewed online using Find my nearest, by searching for the property address or postcode.
3.10. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) a. Is there a CIL charging schedule? b. If yes, do any of the following subsist in relation to the property, or has a local authority decided to issue, serve, or commence any of the following: a liability notice? a notice of chargeable development? a demand notice? a default liability notice? an assumption of liability notice? a commencement notice? c. Has any demand notice been suspended? d. Has the local authority received full or part payment of any CIL liability? e. Has the local authority received any appeal against any of the above? f. Has a decision been taken to apply for a liability order? g. Has a liability order been granted? h. Have any other enforcement measures been taken? Guidance No CIL charging schedule.
3.11. Conservation area Do the following apply in relation to the property? a. the making of the area a conservation area before 31 August 1974 b. an unimplemented resolution to designate the area a conservation area Guidance This information can be found on our Planning and building regulations webpages.
3.12. Compulsory purchase Has any enforceable order or decision been made to compulsorily purchase or acquire the property? Guidance Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk West Suffolk Council do not currently hold any compulsory purchase orders.
3.13. Contaminated land Do any of the following apply (including any relating to land adjacent to or adjoining the property which has been identified as contaminated land because it is in such a condition that harm or pollution of controlled waters might be caused on the property)? a. a contaminated land notice b. in relation to a register maintained under section 78R of the Environmental Protection Act 1990: a decision to make an entry an entry c. consultation with the owner or occupier of the property conducted under section 78G(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 before the service of a remediation notice Guidance The online register is available on the West Suffolk Council website Environmental problems webpage.
3.14. Radon Gas Do records indicate that the property is in a 'Radon Affected Area' as identified by Public Health England or Public Health Wales? Guidance This information is available from UK Radon Public Health England Chilton Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ Telephone: 01235 825200. UK Radon website
3.15. Assets of community value a. Has the property been nominated as an asset of community value? If so: Is it listed as an asset of community value? Was it excluded and placed on the 'nominated but not listed' list? Has the listing expired? Is the local authority reviewing or proposing to review the listing? Are there any subsisting appeals against the listing? b. If the property is listed: Has the local authority decided to apply to the Land Registry for an entry or cancellation of a restriction in respect of listed land affecting the property? Has the local authority received a notice of disposal? Has any community interest group requested to be treated as a bidder? Guidance Information can be found on our Community right to challenge and bid webpage, and (where appropriate) charges are registered on the Local Land Charges Register

Questions and guidance

1. Planning and building regulations

1.1 Planning and Building decisions and pending applications

Which of the following relating to the property have been granted, issued or refused or (where applicable) are the subject of pending applications or agreements?

a. a planning permission
b. a listed building consent
c. a conservation area consent
d. a certificate of lawfulness of existing use or development
e. a certificate of lawfulness of proposed use or development
f. a certificate of lawfulness of proposed works for listed buildings

Guidance

These are available on our online planning application system - Public Access from July 1974.
To get any applications and decisions before July 1974 you will need to pay for a history search.
Please contact planning.technical@westsuffolk.gov.uk for more information.

g. a heritage partnership agreement
h. a listed building consent order
i. a local listed building consent order

Guidance

None.

j. building regulations approval
k. a building regulation completion certificate and
l. any building regulations certificate or notice issued in respect of work carried out under a competent person self-certification scheme?

Guidance

The information on our online planning application system - Public Access for building control records will only show applications that have either commenced, are pending consideration or completed.
Please note that records older than 15 years from date of completion inspection are deleted or archived in line with building control performance standards. Records not complete and older than three years from date of last requested inspection are archived.
Please contact building.control@westsuffolk.gov.uk for more information

1.2 Planning designations and proposals

What designations of land use for the property or the area, and what specific proposals for the property are contained in any existing or proposed development plan?

Guidance

This information can be found on our Local plans webpages.

2. Roads and public rights of way

Roadways, footways and footpaths

2.1 Which of the roads, footways and footpaths named in the application for this search (using boxes B and C) are:

a. highways maintainable at public expense
b. subject to adoption and, supported by a bond or bond waiver
c. to be made up by a local authority who will reclaim the cost from the frontagers
d. to be adopted by a local authority without reclaiming the cost from the frontagers.

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

Public rights of way

2.2 Is any public right of way which abuts on, or crosses the property, shown on a definitive map or revised definitive map?

2.3 Are there any pending applications to record a public right of way that abuts, or crosses the property, on a definitive map or revised definitive map?

2.4 Are there any legal orders to stop up, divert, alter or create a public right of way which abuts, or crosses the property not yet implemented or shown on a definitive map?

2.5 If so, please attach a plan showing the approximate route.

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

3. Others matters

Apart from matters entered on the registers of local land charges, do any of the following matters apply to the property? If so, how can copies of relevant documents be obtained?

3.1. Land required for public purposes

Is the property included in land required for public purposes?

Guidance

Although nothing is specifically identified on the development plan as land required for public purposes, it has been known in some very rare cases for people to own (without our knowledge) areas of public open space.

3.2. Land to be acquired for roadworks

Is the property included in land to be acquired for roadworks?

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

3.3. Drainage matters

Do either of the following exist in relation to the property:

a. Is the property served by a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) which is adopted by the SuDS Approval Body (SAB) for which there will be a surface water drainage charge?
b. Are there adopted SuDS features within the boundary of the property? If yes, is the owner responsible for maintenance?
c. If the property benefits from a SuDS for which there is a charge, who bills the property for the surface water drainage charge?

Guidance

Our records do not allow for the provision of comprehensive answers in relation to this question.

It is advisable that the purchaser undertakes checks of planning approvals, Section 106 agreements and with the vendor to establish whether any sustainable urban drainage systems are in place at the property.

3.4. Nearby road schemes

Is the property (or will it be) within 200 metres of any of the following?

a. the centre line of a new trunk road or special road specified in any order, draft order or scheme
b. the centre line of a proposed alteration or improvement to an existing road involving construction of a subway, underpass, flyover, footbridge, elevated road or dual carriageway
c. the outer limits of construction works for a proposed alteration or improvement to an existing road, involving:

construction of a roundabout (other than a mini roundabout), or
widening by construction of one or more additional traffic lanes

d. the outer limits of:

construction of a new road to be built by a local authority,
an approved alteration or improvement to an existing road involving construction of a subway, underpass, flyover, footbridge, elevated road or dual carriageway,
construction of a roundabout (other than a mini roundabout) or widening by construction of one or more additional traffic lanes

e. the centre line of the proposed route of a new road under proposals published for public consultation
f. the outer limits of:

construction of a proposed alteration or improvement to an existing road involving construction of a subway, underpass, flyover, footbridge, elevated road or dual carriageway
construction a roundabout (other than a mini roundabout)
widening by construction of one or more additional traffic lanes, under proposals published for public consultation.

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

3.5. Nearby railway schemes

a. Is the property (or will it be) within 200 metres of the centre line of a proposed railway, tramway, light railway or monorail?
b. Are there any proposals for a railway, tramway, light railway or monorail within the local authority’s boundary?

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk
Please also consult our Local plans webpages.

3.6. Traffic schemes

Has a local authority approved but not yet implemented any of the following for the roads, footways and footpaths which are named in Boxes B and C and are within 200 metres of the boundaries of the property?

a. permanent stopping up or diversion
b. waiting or loading restrictions
c. one way driving
d. prohibition of driving
e. pedestrianisation
f. vehicle width or weight restriction
g. traffic calming works including road humps
h. residents parking controls
i. minor road widening or improvement
j. pedestrian crossings
k. cycle tracks
l. bridge building

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

3.7. Outstanding notices

Do any statutory notices which relate to the following matters subsist in relation to the property other than those revealed in response to any other enquiry in this form?

a. building works
b. environment
c. health and safety
d. housing
f. public health

Guidance

Please send requests by email to land.charges@westsuffolk.gov.uk

e. highways

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

g. flood and coastal erosion risk management

Guidance

Please refer your enquiry to the Environment Agency.

For more information on how to access these records, please visit our Access to records and copy documents webpage.

3.8. Contravention of building regulations

Has a local authority authorised in relation to the property any proceedings for the contravention of any provision contained in building regulations?

Guidance

Please send requests by email to land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

3.9. Notices, orders, directions and proceedings under planning acts

a. an enforcement notice
b. a stop notice
c. a listed building enforcement notice
d. a breach of condition notice
e. a planning contravention notice
f. another notice relating to breach of planning control
g. a listed building repairs notice
h. in the case of a listed building deliberately allowed to fall into disrepair, a compulsory purchase order with a direction for minimum compensation
i. a building preservation notice
j. a direction restricting permitted development
k. an order revoking or modifying a planning permission
l. an order requiring discontinuance of use or alteration or removal of building or works
m. a tree preservation order
n. proceedings to enforce a planning agreement or planning contribution

Enforcement Register

Guidance

The register is only a list of enforcement notices issued, not a log of open or pending cases. A list of notices from April 2019 is available on our Breaches of planning permission (planning enforcement) webpage, older notices are by appointment at our offices.

The actual notice is available to view by appointment, the same with historic notices. No fee for a copy of notice if requested.

Please email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk as we may have information that is not available online.

Article 4

Guidance

Served articles are available to view on our Article 4 Directions webpage.
Please email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk as we may have information that is not available online.

Tree preservation orders (TPOs)

Guidance

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) associated with individual properties can be viewed online using Find my nearest, by searching for the property address or postcode.

Building preservation

Guidance

Order Information is available to view on our Article 4 Directions webpage.

Order revoking planning permission or modifying

Guidance

This information is available on our online planning application system - Public Access.

Another notice of breach of condition

Guidance

The Enforcement Register can be viewed on our Breaches of planning permission (planning enforcement) webpage

To check online decision notices please use our online planning application system - Public Access.

Decision notices will list conditions that must be complied with for each application.

Planning contravention notice

Guidance
Please send requests by email to land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

Listed Building Repairs Notice

Guidance

This information can be viewed online using Find my nearest, by searching for the property address or postcode.

3.10. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

a. Is there a CIL charging schedule?
b. If yes, do any of the following subsist in relation to the property, or has a local authority decided to issue, serve, or commence any of the following:

a liability notice?
a notice of chargeable development?
a demand notice?
a default liability notice?
an assumption of liability notice?
a commencement notice?

c. Has any demand notice been suspended?
d. Has the local authority received full or part payment of any CIL liability?
e. Has the local authority received any appeal against any of the above?
f. Has a decision been taken to apply for a liability order?
g. Has a liability order been granted?
h. Have any other enforcement measures been taken?

Guidance

No CIL charging schedule.

3.11. Conservation area

Do the following apply in relation to the property?

a. the making of the area a conservation area before 31 August 1974
b. an unimplemented resolution to designate the area a conservation area

Guidance

This information can be found on our Planning and building regulations webpages.

3.12. Compulsory purchase

Has any enforceable order or decision been made to compulsorily purchase or acquire the property?

Guidance

Suffolk County Council holds this information. Email land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk

West Suffolk Council do not currently hold any compulsory purchase orders.

3.13. Contaminated land

Do any of the following apply (including any relating to land adjacent to or adjoining the property which has been identified as contaminated land because it is in such a condition that harm or pollution of controlled waters might be caused on the property)?

a. a contaminated land notice
b. in relation to a register maintained under section 78R of the Environmental Protection Act 1990:

a decision to make an entry
an entry

c. consultation with the owner or occupier of the property conducted under section 78G(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 before the service of a remediation notice

Guidance

The online register is available on the West Suffolk Council website Environmental problems webpage.

3.14. Radon Gas

Do records indicate that the property is in a 'Radon Affected Area' as identified by Public Health England or Public Health Wales?

Guidance

This information is available from
UK Radon
Public Health England
Chilton
Didcot
Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ
Telephone: 01235 825200.
UK Radon website

3.15. Assets of community value

a. Has the property been nominated as an asset of community value? If so:

Is it listed as an asset of community value?
Was it excluded and placed on the 'nominated but not listed' list?
Has the listing expired?
Is the local authority reviewing or proposing to review the listing?
Are there any subsisting appeals against the listing?

b. If the property is listed:

Has the local authority decided to apply to the Land Registry for an entry or cancellation of a restriction in respect of listed land affecting the property?
Has the local authority received a notice of disposal?
Has any community interest group requested to be treated as a bidder?

Guidance

Information can be found on our Community right to challenge and bid webpage, and (where appropriate) charges are registered on the Local Land Charges Register