Garden extension - planning/ownership

[saxy_jag]

My mum's next door neighbour has extended her garden over an area of communal hardstanding behind the houses that was originally there (still is, actually) for residents to park cars. It's almost doubled the length of the garden.

How can I find out whether or not the woman has actually bought the land from the local council? I've searched the council's planning applications for the last eighteen months and I can't find anything relating to that property. I know I could get the land registry entry for it, but I understand they're not always up to date, so it mightn't tell me much.

[buildersmate]

The Planning Application files won't tell you anything - what you are asking is land ownership.
The Land Registry are up to date, if the land in question is registered land. Go on the LR website, type in the postcode, if the land is registered it will come up as such, make an online application to view the Title Plan of this person's land title. Costs �3 - you do not need to view the Register, just the Plan.
http://www.landreg.gov.uk/