When purchasing a home, buyers and their conveyancers want more than just environmental checks. They also need visibility of planning activity in the surrounding area to understand potential risks and opportunities. As IBex's partner, Groundsure offers enhanced planning data that is immersed in their Environmental Reports, bringing these insights together efficiently in one place.

For a buyer purchasing a house, when their conveyancer orders a Groundsure Environmental Report, it will include a planning data analysis, which could surface:

Nearby Approved or Pending Applications:

• This could be a major housing development, including details about the size and the amount of units, the distance from the property and the expected start date,
• or a smaller residential project, showing high approval rates for typical renovations like loft conversions and extensions in the area,
• or proposals that demonstrate local area growth and demand, for example, a new green space or a new leisure space.

Historical Planning Data:

• Covering previously approved applications on the property, which could signal development potential and positive council response.
• Refused planning applications nearby that failed due to neighbouring queries e.g. light and privacy concerns. This would give buyers confidence in council planning considerations at the consultation and site assessment stages.

Examples of Environmental Risks Flagged in Groundsure Reports:

• Whether there is or isn't a risk of flooding to the property.
• Whether there is a contamination risk or any nearby industrial activity.
• The radon levels in the local area.

How Planning Data Adds Value:

Accuracy: IBex's advanced geolocation abilities allow Groundsure Environmental Reports to have the precise polygons of new developments, from large housing estates to smaller infrastructure projects. Buyers gain full visibility of all pending and approved plans in their local area, whether its a neighbouring extension or a community-wide improvement scheme. This reduces uncertainty and provides clarity on what is planned and the exact location of the development from the property.

Transparency: By distinguishing major schemes (such as developments over 100 units) from minor planning applications, the data allows buyers to focus on the risk of impact to the property. They can see typical changes that shape the neighbourhood character, as well as the larger developments that may affect value, lifestyle, and future desirability.

Efficiency: Instead of piecing together fragmented information from multiple platforms, buyers and conveyancers receive a single, consolidated report that covers both environmental and planning risks. Groundsure combines their environmental expertise with IBex's market-leading planning data to create a streamlined analysis, enabling faster due diligence and fewer follow-ups. This not only saves time but also caters for a more confident, evidence-based position during negotiations.

What This Could Lead To:

With environmental and enhanced planning insights combined into one report, the conveyancer can:

• Reduce client queries by answering key questions upfront with data-backed evidence.
• Speed-up due diligence by removing the need for manual checks and cross-referencing.
• Provide a single source of truth, helping buyers feel supported and informed throughout the process.

For the buyer, they can:

• Negotiate more effectively, armed with proof of potential disruption or future value.
• Make realistic renovation plans that align with expected planning approvals.
• Balance short-term risks (e.g. nearby small-scale construction) with long-term opportunities (e.g. rising housing demand), reaffirming the potential appreciation in value.
• Progress with confidence, knowing they've gained the full picture of environmental and planning considerations before committing.

By embedding IBex's unmatched planning data into their Environmental Reports, Groundsure's enhanced planning search delivers the most complete view of a property and its surrounding area. Buyers and conveyancers benefit from robust environmental checks and clear planning insights in one streamlined report; increasing confidence, saving time and allowing for more intelligent decisions. This partnership solidifies Groundsure as the best choice for property due diligence.

With future updates inbound, the partnership continues to evolve, helping buyers, conveyancers, and legal professionals navigate property decisions with greater certainty than ever more.

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