Improve awareness of planning developments

An international law firm was recently ordered to pay £1.8m in damages after a court found that they had failed to correctly inform their clients, who were buying a London property, about a nearby development.

Receive accurate and reliable information from Searches UK, who offer a DevAssess report from DevAssist that reveals past, current, and future planning and development risks within a 75-metre radius of a property. The report gives a unique and professional opinion about the impact of such schemes on a property and how this can affect the client's transaction.

Key features

The key features of this search include:

• Site-specific mapping showing any identified site, together with density predictions;

• Information about the size of each identified site, together with density predictions;

• A full Landmark PlansearchPlus or Groundsure Planning report, providing information about current commercial and residential planning applications (including larger and 'minor applications' such as single-storey extensions and dormer windows within the immediate vicinity), together with information on land use designations, rights of way, mobile phone masts, housing and neighborhood data, and crime, amenities, and education information; and

• Aerial photography.

This milestone ruling puts the onus of disclosing planning information to clients firmly on the shoulders of the solicitor or conveyancer acting for the buyers. A DevAssess report, which is clear and easy to digest, will help reduce the risk of a claim at a later date, as well as give your client the very best insight into past, present, and future planning to help them make an informed decision as to whether to proceed with the purchase.

Knowledge and understanding of local planning information is fundamental when purchasing a property. To avoid potential costly damages claims, ensure you reveal all there is to know about your client's property-to-be with this insightful search.

To find out more about DevAssess reports please contact Searches UK on 0800 043 1815 or visit www.searchesuk.co.uk.