FAQs
We cannot provide advice but we can provide you with information.
News Articles
Read key articles for yourself and form your own opinions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning FAQs
What is Planning permission?
Planning permission is approval granted by a Local Planning Authority (LPA) that allows land to be used or developed for a specific purpose. If you wish to change how the land is used, you must apply for a change of use and secure planning permission.
Can I build a house on the land as shown in your illustrations?
Potentially, yes. We only sell land pre-planning and so it will first require planning permission. We do not expect this to be immediate, but should become more likely with time. Our role is to identify the land with opportunity for you to benefit.
What are Pre-Planning Sales?
“Pre-planning” refers to land sold before it has permission for a more valuable use—often residential. Although less common in England, this practice is widely used in many other countries.
What are Post-Planning Sales?
Land and property sold after planning permission has been granted. This is the next step from pre-planning sales. Whilst such land can command higher prices, its new, approved use might not suit everyone. Prices are significantly higher.
What is the current planning position for a given site?
Each site’s situation varies. We provide notes on each project’s planning status.
What can I do with my land right now?
You may use your land according to its existing permitted use —unless that use has been abandoned or changed. Alternatively, you can apply for planning permission to use the land differently. Success depends on local policy, and you can apply as frequently as you wish.
Is all land suitable for building houses?
No. Only a small portion of land is considered suitable for housing. Some areas, such as those within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), are protected. Green Belt land has also historically been restricted.
Why would I want to apply for planning permission?
Often, it’s to change the land’s use to something more valuable—residential use frequently boosts a site’s value significantly.
What is ‘Change of Use’?
Every piece of land belongs to a specific use class. Changing from one use class to another generally requires a planning application. Housing land, for example, often begins as farmland and is recategorised through such an application.
How long will it take to get planning permission?
There’s no definitive timeline. Each case depends on local policy, site-specific constraints, and the planning process itself.
What if my application is refused?
A refusal includes reasons for the decision. These reasons can guide you in reapplying, potentially free of charge. You can submit as many applications as you like, adjusting to address the LPA’s concerns. Changing circumstances—such as new policies or different planning officers—can alter outcomes over time.
What can I do with my land if I get planning permission?
- Build your dream home and live there.
- Sell to another builder or end user.
- Retain the land for personal or agricultural use if you decide building isn’t right for you.
What can I build?
Until planning permission is granted, everything is theoretical. However, you’re free to explore and plan. Our Plot Passport and guidance can help shape your ideas, but the LPA has the final say.
Do I need professional help with planning applications?
Professional guidance (e.g., from architects, planning consultants) can streamline the process, ensure compliance with regulations, and improve the quality of your proposal. It’s not mandatory, but it’s often worth the investment.
Ownership FAQs
Will I own the land outright?
Yes. Once you pay, the land is transferred to you, and you become the legal owner. As with all land; existing restrictions, planning regulations and overage agreements pass with ownership of the land.
When can I sell the land?
We generally impose an embargo on sales for an initial period (e.g., 24 months) so you’re not competing with our direct sales. After this period, you’re free to sell at any time.
How do I sell the land?
You can sell just like any other property—through an estate agent, online platforms, private sale, or auction. Planning permission (if obtained) can significantly influence market value.
Technical FAQs
Please remember these are general comments and may not apply to a specific site.
The land does not have planning as the land is sold pre-planning. We recommend using a planning expert whose advice should override our comments.
Definition of Agriculture
“Agriculture” is defined within s336 of the TCPA 1990 to include the following: horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, the breeding and keeping of livestock (including any creature kept for the production of food, wool, skins or fur, or for the purpose of its use in the farming of land), the use of land as grazing land, meadow land, osier land, market gardens and nursery grounds, and the use of land for woodlands where that use is ancillary to the farming of land for other agricultural purposes.
Overages – What are they?
An overage (or “clawback”) arrangement gives the seller—or previous owner—a share of future land value increases if planning permission is granted. It’s common when the land has strategic potential for development.
We also use overages, which allows us to delay some profit until you gain from planning success—aligning our interests with yours.
Investment FAQs
We are not able to answer investment questions directly. The property being sold has strong ties to agricultural land and this can therefore be a reference with planning permission it has development land that becomes easier to determine value. These are general comments only and do not apply to a specific site or sites.
Are these FAQs considered investment advice?
No. This information is general and does not constitute specific investment advice. Always consult a financial advisor for personalised guidance.
What is my plot worth without planning permission?
Its value is typically determined by factors such as location, agricultural land value, and any “strategic” potential. In many cases, land value tends to rise over time due to general inflation, population growth, and housing demand. However, no one can guarantee future appreciation.
What is my plot worth with planning permission?
A common rule of thumb is that the land might be worth around one-third of the completed property’s value after subtracting construction costs, fees, and typical developer profit margins. This is not exact and varies widely by location and market conditions.
Who is pre-planning land suitable for?
- Long term investors: Those who are willing to wait for potential value increases.
- Intergenerational investors: Families looking to pass on land that may gain value.
- Future homeowners: Individuals who see potential for building in the years to come.
This investment is not ideal for anyone seeking a quick build or immediate returns
How will my investment improve over time?
No guarantees exist, but historical trends indicate land values rise alongside housing demand and limited supply. If your site eventually gains planning permission, the uplift can be substantial. Patience is typically essential.
Why does the land look cheaper than other plots?
- We buy in bulk and can pass on savings to you.
- Our overage model defers some profit until you secure planning permission.
- We work on lower margins and sell pre-planning land before major price hikes occur.
Plotted FAQs
Why do you only offer strategic land?
We specialise in pre-planning, pre-allocation land because that’s where we see the largest potential value gains. Once planning permission is in place, prices often soar—sometimes up to tenfold—making it less accessible for average buyers.
Can I source land and buy it myself without Plotted?
Yes, but please be cautious. Finding and buying suitable land requires expertise. We invest significant time and resources into a 100-point checklist, bulk purchasing, and overage structures. Our approach reduces risk and aligns our interests with yours.
Why don’t Plotted obtain planning permission before selling?
If we did, we’d be selling at a much higher price, capturing all the uplift ourselves. Instead, we keep prices low, provide extensive information, and allow you to profit from planning gains. It’s a more collaborative, ethical model: You Win: We Win.
News Articles
LGA Councillors' Forum: Deputy Prime Minister's Opening Remarks - Gov.uk
Plotted’s view:
BIG increase in House Building Targets is a Government priority. To achieve it, they will need to relax planning rules.
Angela Rayner says newts can't be more protected than people who need housing - Politics News - Sky News
Plotted’s View:
Policy changes, to make housing more important than the environment, demonstrates Government priority.
Labour looks set to overpromise and underdeliver on housebuilding - The Standard
Plotted’s View:
The Government’s current policy already looks inadequate. More drastic action will be needed to release more land.
UK population to soar to 72.5 million by 2032 due to net migration rise, ONS says - The Independent
Plotted’s View:
Official Government Forecast shows housing targets are inadequate – requiring more homes and more land.
NSBRC - How do we deliver more self-built homes in the UK?
Plotted’s View:
More people want to build their own home but are restricted by available plots. More land is needed for self builders.
Proportion of 25-34 year-olds living at 'hotel of mum and dad' up a third since 2006 - UK News - Sky News
Plotted’s View:
First-time Buyers cannot afford to buy. Alternative solutions are necessary, such as self-build or multi-generational living.
Data release: Self-build and custom housebuilding data: 2016 to 2021-22 - Gov.uk
Plotted’s View:
Government Data shows a growing number of people wanting to self-build are left unable to.
Why landlords face wipeout under Labour - and it's terrible news for renters - Telegraph.co.uk
Plotted’s View:
The Death of Buy2Let? Taxes are making buy-to-let investment less attractive.
Over a hundred years’ wait for a family-sized social home - National Housing Federation
Plotted’s View:
You can no longer rely on others for help when it is needed, you have to rely on yourself.
“Knowledge itself is Power“
– Sir Francis Bacon (1597)