Property Searches

Summary

Prior to the purchase of property people like to view the planning history associated with a site and/or nearby area.

Eligibility

This service is available to anyone who has an interest in the planning history of a site.

Procedure

If you have an interest in just one site you can visit the Planning and Transportation Reception during office hours and ask to view the site history. If you are interested in more than one site then you should call prior to visiting the reception to ensure a member of staff is available to collate the relevant files.

Written requests for a planning history can be made however, this will incur a fee of £35 per hour of work undertaken or part thereof for a formal written response. Planning history will usually only be available dating back to 1974 in a similar vein to a Local Land Charge Search however, on special request records are sometimes available dating back to 1948.

Appointments for searches of a history prior to 1974 will be required as many records are stored off site; a few days will be needed for information retrieval. You will be allowed to copy information from old files that is generally available to members of the public. Some records are stored on a microfilm system they can re reproduced onto paper but often the quality of print is poor, a nominal charge is applicable for all photocopying.

Helplines

Address: Planning and Transportation Service, PO Box 604, Barnsley, S70 9FE

Phone: (01226) 772593

Fax: (01226) 772591

Email: developmentcontrol@barnsley.gov.uk

Charges/Fees

No fee is payable for this service unless a formal written response is required which will be charged at £35.00 per hour or part thereof.

Methods of Payment Available

If a fee is payable only cheques can be accepted.

Opening Times/Locations

8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday

8.30 am - 4.30 pm Friday

How the Customer can help

It is advisable that an accurate address be provided for the site that you are interested in. Alternatively you will be asked to locate the site on an Ordnance Survey Plan.

Application Form References

Not applicable

Leaflets

Not applicable

Distribution Points

Not applicable

Legislation

Not applicable

Websites

Not applicable

Response Times/Next Steps

It may take up to a week to retrieve records that are stored off site. It may take a similar length of time to reproduce plans from microfilm that are larger than A3.

Out of Hours Procedure

Access via fax, e-mail or website

Owner/Officer Contact Details

Dawn Bullen (01226) 772593

dawnbullen@barnsley.gov.uk

Additional Notes

Personal Search Companies are dealt with by other arrangements because information is required on multiple sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any records prior to 1948?
No. The Planning Service initially came into being on 1 August 1948.

Is there any other history available?
If there is any other information it will be with the Local History Section of the public Library.

Boundary Disputes
The only document that determines a legal boundary is a properties title deed and not the layout plan associated with a planning application. Boundary disputes are civil matters between neighbours and as a result the Planning Service will not become involved in any debate. If the dispute is in relation to a Council owned property then you will be referred to the Council's Estates Department.