Land charges

Highway search enquiries

If you require highways information relating to a particular property or piece of land we operate a fast efficient search service by a team of officers trained to interpret highways records.  We keep in constant contact with those responsible for instigating proposals to the highway network within Buckinghamshire to ensure you receive the most up to date information available.

Our procedure for dealing with these search enquiries is set out in our Access to Property Records Policy (PDF)

On request we supply Tailored Reports for Con29R and Con29O information; the costs of these reports are shown in our Pricing Report 2010 (PDF). This enquiry is part of the procedure when buying or leasing a property and is normally carried out by a solicitor acting on behalf of a buyer 

If you need a tailored report, or only a few questions answered such as ‘Highway Extents of a property’, this can be done by requesting the information using one of the following two methods.

Option 1

Buy your search online . This is quick, easy and secure. Once registered you can keep a record of all your transactions and the costs. A receipt is automatically emailed to you confirming the date of the search was applied for. The Search response will be emailed to you, usually within 1-3 days. Additional Questions and Highway extents may take longer if they require research but should be emailed to you within ten days with over 80% being returned within 3 days.

Option 2

Applying using the Application for Highway Information form (PDF). We recommend you attach a cheque to the request to avoid the additional cost of an invoice. If you need the costs confirmed prior to submission please call 0845 2302882 or email landcharges@buckscc.gov.uk

For a fast service ensure your email address is entered on the application form and we will respond in most cases within 1-3 days from receipt of your search. You may if you wish, email the search form to us (landcharges@buckscc.gov.uk) and we will invoice you for the search. If you are thinking of using this service you may wish to check the online service first.

Please also see the details of the information available (PDF) free of charge at the reception desk at County Hall.

Please note:

• If you require the extents of a public highway you can apply using either of the above two methods, although online is preferred. Your response will contain a letter confirming the extents and a plan at the appropriate scale.
• All searches submitted must be accompanied by a plan, showing the area/property to be searched.

Local land charge

This enquiry is part of the procedure when buying or leasing a property and is normally carried out by a solicitor acting on behalf of a buyer

The legal representatives submit forms LLC1 (Search in the Land Charges Register) and CON29 (Enquiries of Local Authority) to the district council together with the appropriate fee. These forms set out a list of standard enquiries agreed with the Law Society.

The legal representative may also obtain searches from:

• The Land Registry - Leicester District Land Registry, Westbridge Place, Leicester, LE3 5DR, telephone 0116 265 4000
• Commons Land and Town & Village Green Register (Rights of Way Group, BCC), Commons Enquiries, telephone: 01296 382171.  Rights of Way Enquiries, telephone 01296 382171.
  

For the details of the appropriate district council search fee please contact the relevant district council office: 

• Aylesbury Vale District Council: 01296 585059
• Chiltern District Council: 01494 732007
• South Bucks District Council: 01895 837329
• Wycombe District Council: 01494 421225

District councils request information on county planning and highway matters (including public rights of way) from us to complete their reply to the forms.

The answers relate only to the property, although details of approved road schemes within 200m of the property will be supplied. Details of road widening schemes are supplied only where the protected area falls within, or directly adjoins the outlined property.

Contact us

Buckinghamshire County Council Land Charges
Buckinghamshire County Council
County Hall
Aylesbury
HP20 1UY
DX: 97401 Aylesbury 2
Telephone 01296 382772

For more information call 0845 2302882 or email landcharges@buckscc.gov.uk

Highways Agency

For trunk roads and motorways contact the Highways Agency:
The Highways Agency
5 Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BL
Tel: 08457 50 40 30 or 0121 3358300
Email; ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.highways.gov.uk

• Please note the 08457 number is non-geographical
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Calls to 08457 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Charges from other networks may vary.
• Calls to 08457 numbers from mobiles are usually charged at your standard rate, but please check with your provider.
• Do not use a mobile phone whilst driving.
• You can also contact the Highways Agency via Type talk

High Speed 2 (HS2) Rail Link

We can supply details of the proposed routes of the rail Link in relation to particular properties. The Department for Transport is the sponsor/promoter of the scheme see their website for the latest up to date information.

The report by the Department of Transport is now available.