Selling house on large plot for redevelopment

rubiales

Hi. Got a query re selling your house and land to developers. If anyone has any experience of this would be grateful for your help.

We are very fortunate to have a bungalow on a large plot of land in the suburbs of large South Coast town. Next door neighbour has similar-sized plot. All others around us are much smaller. A couple of years ago a developer approached us both to see if we would be prepared to sell IF they could get planning permission to build 14 starter homes on the two plots - no figure given though! Council said too many houses (10 max) so they backed out. We left it at that since neither of us was that keen to move at the time.

However, we have just had another letter from a local develpoment 'agent' who wants to draw up some plans and tout our plots to developers if outline permission granted. No sale, no fee basis and no charge for drawing up plans. No idea yet what their commission would be as they want us to see the plans first!

My question is, would we be better off researching and drawing up plans for ourselves and, if so, where do we start?

Would be sad to move, but could be a way to stabilise our finances and downsize.

clutton_2

read www.singingpig.co.uk and PM a poster called landplanningassociates - he knows more about planning than anyone i know. he charges a small amount to research your site and council and he will tell you whether it is worth while attempting to get planning. If you can get outline planning permission (so no really huge architects bills) then selling it on with OPP will mean you make all the profit and not the developer.

dolce_vita

rubiales wrote: »

.......My question is, would we be better off researching and drawing up plans for ourselves and, if so, where do we start?

You'd be much better off getting everything done yourself.

First of all check whether there are any restrictions preventing developement

Then you need to establish what sort of property would be feasible.
To do this you need to take into account not just the absolute size of the plot, but other things like access, orientation and parking issues.

You can enlist the help of local builders/surveyors/esate agents*


Then get an architect to draw up some plans and submit them to the council with your application.
Somw architects will have higher success rate than others at getting plans through for some reason That's the type you want.

Once you get approval, you can then think about the money side of things.

Do it yourself and sell all three houses. Or sell to a developer.

best wishes to you










* (By estate agent, I mean a proper old school one. Not some spotty illiterate imbecile in a cheap suit who doesn't know !!!!!! from putty)

Debt_Free_Chick

clutton wrote: »

read www.singingpig.co.uk and PM a poster called landplanningassociates - he knows more about planning than anyone i know. he charges a small amount to research your site and council and he will tell you whether it is worth while attempting to get planning.

Although a study of the Local Development Framework for the area would at least tell you if the Council has earmarked that plot - either as a possible site for development or a "not a chance in hell" site.

clutton_2

DFC - i'd taken your excellent advice as read !!!

rubiales

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Although a study of the Local Development Framework for the area would at least tell you if the Council has earmarked that plot - either as a possible site for development or a "not a chance in hell" site.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Debt-Free-Chick, how do I get hold of the Local development framework for my area, please?

Debt_Free_Chick

rubiales wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Debt-Free-Chick, how do I get hold of the Local development framework for my area, please?

Local Council is the place start - very many publish it on their website.

The LDF is a strategic plan for development. It sets out areas where the Council will agree to development. It also sets out "no go" areas where development will not be agreed to.

Be warned though .... even in "no go" areas, the Council can make an "exception" for affordable housing. But that would usually be done in conjunction with a Housing Association.

Start with your local Council website. Post back if you need help to decipher the planning or council-speak

sham63

If you apply for 'outline permission' you do not need any plans other than a site location plan.

I suggest you book an appointment to see the Planning Officer who deals with your area - they are the best placed to advise on your chances of approval and can supply the correct forms and copies of the site location plans (usually about £20 for the plans).