unused land - how can I find out who it belongs to?

[princestar]

I was driving round looking for stables locally and I drove past a building that I've driven past many times. Anyway I managed to walk round the outside of the fencing, to find out its actually 3 good sized wooden stables and what looks like a cupboard/storage shed. It has a concrete area outside that has a post and rail fence that you could tie up outside with out any horses coming over that were in the field. The field is quite a good size, has a row of trees in the middle so would have good natural shelter and its longer than wider. Could easily be split into three good sized fields and its very flat so lots of places to ride (could even get a school at some point built).

Its all overgrown, needs repairs, a lick of paint, new fencing and some work but it could be something amazing. I checked with the livery yard next door and they said they didn't know who the owners were, they hadn't been around for years and no one ever went to there.

I want to contact someone, see if the land is privately owned, if I could rent or even buy it. Can I contact the council or anyway to find the owner when they don't visit the yard at all??

Thanks

 

[comet!]

You can find out who owns a piece of land (provided it has been registered) by using the Land Registry. I think it's only a small fee (maybe £6):-

http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/public/faqs/how-do-i-find-out-who-owns-a-property-or-piece-of-land

 

[HappyHooves]

Sometimes a chat with someone in the local council planning department can be useful.

 

[Maesfen]

Go to the local pubs or the nearest farmers, some of them will know.

 

[Kallibear]

Farmers, esp older ones, are your best bet. Land registery only works if it's been sold in the last 50 or so years.

 

[Adopter]

Somebody will know locally, as suggested above land registyry, local shop, pub etc or you could try door knocking, if is not as bad as it sounds when you want information, and the worst people can do is to tell you to go away! Sounds interesting, do let us know how you go on.

 

[wench]

Havent you already asked this in another part of the forum...