A Deposited Plan
(DP) is a crucial element in the legal framework of land ownership and management, defining the legal boundaries and details of a land parcel. Often required in various property-related transactions, DPs play an essential role in recording subdivisions, easements, resumptions, and supporting primary applications. This article delves into the meaning of a Deposited Plan, its applications, and how to access these plans.
What is a Deposited Plan?
A Deposited Plan (DP) is a type of land plan that defines the legal boundary information for a parcel of land. It most commonly depicts a subdivision of a parcel of land and often records easements and resumptions. A DP typically includes:
- Full dimensions for each boundary.
- The nature of the boundary (defining features such as fences, roads, buildings, walls, etc.).
- The position of all survey marks to fix the boundary positions.
When Do You Need a Deposited Plan?
In Australia, a DP is required in several instances:
- Selling or buying land/property: Ensures accurate legal boundaries and property details.
- Creating a new land parcel or subdividing an existing parcel: Essential for legal recognition of the new parcels.
- Certain renovation cases: Especially when erecting new structures or buildings on your land.
- Disputing a boundary: Provides the definitive legal boundary information for resolution.
The deposited plan must be prepared by a registered surveyor and lodged with the appropriate Land Registry Service.
Types of Plans
Understanding different types of legal land boundary plans is essential for property management and transactions. The main types include:
- Deposited Plans (DP): Define legal boundaries of land and often a subdivision of a parcel of land.
- Strata Plans: Relate to multiple occupancy and separate ownership of individual units, such as residential, commercial, retail, or industrial units.
- Community Plans: Refer to planned communities where some land use is shared, enabling communal properties to be incorporated into subdivisions.
How to Find a Deposited Plan Using Landchecker
Finding an existing deposited plan for a particular land or property address can be done through Landchecker by following these steps:
Conduct a Title Search from the Landchecker Map Function:
- Access the Map Function: Type in the address or click the property on the map.
- Navigate to Titles and Documents: On the right-hand sidebar, click on the Titles and Documents tab.
- Select and Purchase: Select the appropriate product (e.g., NSW Title) and add it to your cart. Proceed to checkout and purchase the plan document.
Or Conduct a Title Search from the Landchecker Document Search Tab:
- Open Document Searches: Click Document Searches in the top navigation bar.
- Select State and Search Option: Choose your state, click next, and then select your preferred search option (e.g., search by address, council number, lot/plan, etc.).
- Select and Purchase: Select the property you are looking for, choose the appropriate product (e.g., NSW Title), add it to your cart, and complete the checkout process.
In both cases, the document will be immediately available for download under “Order Manager” in “My Account” and will also be emailed to you.
Deposited Plans: A Guide to Understanding and Accessing Historical Land Records
1. Why Use This Guide?
This guide is essential if you believe your ancestor was an owner, occupier, or lessee of land or property affected by the construction of a road, railway, or canal from 1794 onward. It is also useful for anyone with a general interest in historical land plans and public works projects.
2. What Are the Records?
Since the medieval period, the construction of roads and other public works has required permission from acts of Parliament. In the 18th century, this extended to canals and railways. From 1794, project promoters had to submit plans as part of their application process. Many of these plans, along with supporting documents, are preserved in archives.
3. What Information Do the Records Contain?
These records provide detailed information about public works projects, including:
- Routes: The proposed routes for roads, railways, or canals.
- Supporting Documents: These may include Books of Reference and Estimates of Expenses, listing names of owners, occupiers, and lessees of affected land, as well as capital subscribers.
4. How to Get Started?
To begin your search:
- Online Catalogue Search: Enter the name of a road, railway, or canal in the search box on the archive’s website.
- Select Category: From the left-hand menu, choose ‘Plans for railways, roads, canals, and other public works’.
- Narrow Results: Use the ‘sort by’ fields of year and title to refine your search results.
5. How to Access the Records?
To access these records:
- Identify Documents: Use the online catalogue to find documents of interest and note their catalogue references.
- Visit Instructions: Follow the instructions on the Plan Your Visit page for accessing the search room.
- Ordering Copies: If needed, you can order copies of most documents. More information is available on the Ordering Copies page.
6. What Records Are Held Elsewhere?
Deposited plans may also be available locally. Consider contacting the local record office relevant to the road, railway, or canal of interest.
- Enclosures: For enclosure plans or awards, contact the local record office, as the archives only hold the Acts of Parliament.
- National Archives: Some plans may also be found in The National Archives.
- Further Reading: The publication ‘A Domesday of English Enclosure Acts and Awards’ by W. E. Tate can be a valuable resource. Though not available online, it might be found in a local history library.
Conclusion
Understanding and accessing deposited plans can provide valuable insights into historical land use and ownership. This guide offers a starting point for researching these records, helping you uncover detailed information about public works projects and their impact on land and property. Whether for personal interest or genealogical research, these records are an invaluable resource.
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