We use cookies to provide the best experience on our website. To learn more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Policy. You can manage your preferences now on this banner, or via your browser at anytime.
The UK’s leading land experts
The LSL Land & New Homes team can identify opportunities and assist clients to formulate a feasibility valuation and submit an offer. Find out how we can help you buy land.
There are a number of ways to buy land, such as submitting sealed bids, negotiating through an agent or bidding at auction. Local authorities, utility companies or even developers often have spare land for sale.
Whichever method you choose, make sure your research is complete before settling on your plot.
With any investment it is always best to outline your budget, costs and resale plan. Research is also best, as you will need to consider many factors before purchasing, which is where a charted surveyor can advise.
They will typically look for the following factors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another key factor to consider is planning permission and whether the plot sits on a greenfield or brownfield site.
All new builds need to submit a full planning application and not all councils are excited at the proposition of new homes being built. You may find that some plots come with planning permission, and, if this is the case, it will reduce the risks you might face, giving you the certainty, you are able to develop the land.
For more information on what opportunities we have available, contact us today or search our current land for sale here
Land value can vary depending on many variables, typically an acre of farmland in the UK is valued at between £12,000 and £15,000.
Although land is a physical asset and will always have a base value many variables such as location and demand for investment can affect the price you pay. Planning permission can also greatly affect the costs and land with planning permission will be significantly higher.
The difference between the two can be easily summarised as brownfield land has previously been developed on and greenfield land is undeveloped, agricultural areas of land that are being considered for urban development.
Each one comes with different pros and cons but is it mostly accepted that brownfield land is easy to obtain planning permission and easier to sell. The Government is committed to developing brownfield sites as a priority and there are 66.000 hectares of these sites in England. A local council will generally look very favourably on restoration projects to clean up local eye sores or remove hazards in favour of more additional housing.
Land generally falls into two types of planning scenarios. Land with permission and land without planning permission. It is essential that you clarify with the local authority how they will let you use the land and ensure that the right permissions are granted.
To apply for planning permission, contact your LPA through your local council. If your project needs planning permission and you do the work without getting it, you can be served an ‘enforcement notice’ ordering you to undo all the changes you have made.
There are a number of ways to buy land such as;
Whichever method you choose it is always best to speak to a professional land agent first.
Having a solicitor who specialises in land sales will save you time and more importantly money. Hold ups can often occur when the wrong information is provided and a trained legal professional will help speed up any delays and be able to check surveys and assessments for you.
Once your solicitor is happy with everything and all checks have been made you will be notified that you are ok to sign the contract and transfer funds to your solicitor ready for exchange. If your contract stipulates that the sale is dependent on planning consent then contracts can be exchanged on a conditional basis. This aside, once you have exchanged, you will be legally bound to the contract providing all conditions have been met.
Once your purchase completes, you will need to make sure your land is insured, particularly if it is to become a building site. It is important to make sure your chosen builder and architect are closely aligned before the build process begins. You may wish to appoint an experienced project manager to closely look after the development.
If you plan to build homes on your new site then it is important to find the right new homes agent. Using a specialist new homes agent will help with speed and compliance issues that can arise from selling homes. Our specialist new homes team can help sell your homes no matter the size, click here to see how our new homes team can help you.
