Local land charges

Local Authority Search

A local authority land charges search forms part of the conveyancing process when you buy or sell property or land. It can be carried out on behalf of vendors and purchasers by:

• a solicitor
• a licenced conveyancer
• a private search company

The results of the search provide important information about the property or land including planning and related applications, Planning Enforcement, public footpaths, Tree Preservation Orders, Listed Building status Conservation Areas and Local Plan Designations.

A full local search consists of form LLC1, an official request for a search of the local land charges register and a CON29 enquiry which contains questions designed to provide intending purchasers with information about the land or property in question

The enquiries fall broadly into three categories:

1. Planning – relating to the control of development
2. Highways – relating to roads, traffic schemes, railways etc
3. Environmental health – relating to issues such as contaminated land and noise abatement
4. Enquiries can also be made in respect of additional questions a purchaser may consider appropriate.

Please note that from 25 April 2023 we will no longer provide a local land charges search service* for charges in the High Peak area.

After this date, our land charges for the High Peak area will have migrated to HM Land Registry's national register. You will be able to  access a new digital service through the HM Land Registry Portal for LLC1 and personal searches

*Relating to LLC1 searches only

Personal Search

A personal search can be conducted by visiting the Authority and inspecting the Land Charges Register at the Local Authority Land Charges Department or by inspecting planning files in situ at the Local Authority or the National Park. Searching the planning files at the Peak National Park Authority will provide information on:

• Planning permissions
• Listed buildings
• Enforcements

There is no charge to inspect the files at the Authority offices, but we do operate an appointment system and require six working days in which to prepare the files. To make an appointment, please contact the Customer Service Team on 01629 816200.

Peak District National Park Authority Role with regard to searches

When a LLC1 and/or CON29 regarding a property or land within the National Park is submitted to the relevant Local Authority, the Peak District National Park Authority provides the Local Authority with the Planning related content in order for them to complete the overall search response. The Local Authority is charged for the service we provide to them in this respect. The Highways, Environmental Health and other consent is provided by departments within the Local Authority or County Council.

Direct Search Services Offered by the Peak District National Park Authority

Option 1

A Personal Search Company or Solicitor can request a CON 29 Schedule direct from the Authority. This will provide all the Planning related information required for the CON29 search. For this service there is fee charged under the charging provisions of the Local Authorities (England) (Charges for Property Services) Regulations 2008 (CPSR).

Option 2

A Personal Search Company, Solicitor or member of the public can request to view the planning files. We require six working days from the initial request for the file to be made available. Please note viewing of the planning files does not provide all of the information required for the CON29 Search.

Important Local Land Charges Notice - new update

Fees for our land charge searches have remained static for over 10 years and following a review of our ongoing costs, and benchmarking our fees against those of our constituent authorities, we have taken the decision to increase our charges as set out in the table below. The increased charges will come into effect on 1st November 2023. Revised charges are shown in the table below:

Before carrying out a chargeable search we require the relevant payment at the time of the search request. Please phone the Customer Service Team on 01629 816200 to pay by Credit/Debit Card or alternatively you can pay by cheque. Please note we do not invoice for this service.