001 - Duck Out Of The Ordinary Maximising Your Residential Site Potential

Introduction

Welcome to the quack-tastic world of property development, where your ordinary backyard can transform into a fantastic opportunity for development and safeguard your family’s financial future.
In this week's post, we will guide you through the process of maximising residential sites for novice homeowners. Covering developments of rear sites, infills, and corner plots, we offer a flock of advice to help you soar.
The prospect of sourcing planning yourself may be daunting, but fear not—Silver Teal is here to lend a helping hand. So, fluff up your feathers and get ready to explore the potential of your property!

What is the Potential

Have you ever looked at the patch of land at the back or side of your garden and wondered if you could build something there? A house, a bungalow, or even a small residential estate. Well, you might not be far off, and the benefits associated with adding value to your property can be endless.
Identifying whether your land has genuine potential for development involves more complexities than just wondering whether it's big enough. There are matters such as access, design, sizing, use, and layouts to consider. A great way of initially knowing whether your site has potential is if developers are trying to swoop in with offers to buy. Please remember this is a common business model and the offers are often below market value. Stay vigilant; instead, we suggest you explore the planning potential yourself.
You never know what you might find, and it could save time and maximise value.

The First Stage

The first stage in testing the waters of planning is to review national and regional planning policies, these can shed light on what a planner's response may be to an application. It is important to protect your property, and a refusal may deter some developers; therefore, obtaining advice is a great first step.
Planning policy covers a number of matters and will initially identify whether there is a case for your application. Planning policies can on occasion make obtaining planning outside of specific zones difficult. We can advise on some creative ways to achieve your end goal. Similarly, knowing the informed risks is far more beneficial than the speculated ones, which may have prevented you from moving forward in the past.
We offer free initial appraisals, including a no-obligation outline of what could be achieved. You will not spend a penny before it's necessary. We can also provide a pre-application package that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Whether you need a full planning pack or just some outline sketches, we've got you covered and can prevent the significant upfront investment that often deters some clients from exploring their site's potential.
Pre-application advice sources direct feedback from the local planning authority and is effectively a dry run with whatever documents you can put forward. The planning system is discretionary and often open to interpretation; as a result, planning may see an application in a different light (for good or bad).
If the planning feedback isn't positive, we can help you understand its meaning and tweak your proposal to meet planning's requirements. Remember, with pre-application advice, you are under no obligation and can pull out at any time.

3D render of recent site development

Seeking all-important planning

Positive pre-application feedback can provide confidence that an application would be accepted. This is not permission; the next step is pursuing all-important consent.
Unfortunately, at this stage, costs may begin to increase. An application, as a minimum, will require a set of floor and site plans, elevations, and a supportive statement. In addition, you may require a couple of specialist reports and statements. We can assist in building a cost estimate and budget for all supportive documents needed. It is important to note that sometimes the higher the quality of the planning pack, the better the outcome will be.
We typically utilise in-house planning consultants to provide supportive statements that comply with and justify the application. It is important to avoid skimping on certain documents—think, "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys." Investing in the planning documents will maximise the chances of approval or create a better platform to lodge an appeal against if necessary.
Once the documents are complete, you can submit to the local planning authority, and the long wait begins for a decision. This will be a minimum of 8 weeks but may stretch depending on local resources.

What to do once you have planning approval

Assuming you have followed the above sections, congratulations, you’ve got planning approval! Now, you need to decide whether to sell your land or develop it yourself.
If you'd rather pass the baton, selling the site to a reputable developer might be your best bet. It also passes the risk associated with building onto another party yet allows you to profit. We can help you find the perfect suitor who will cherish and develop your plot with the respect it deserves.
Decided to don your construction cap and build? Before you lay the first brick, you'll need to ensure all the planning conditions are met. This may include confirming building materials or access arrangements. We can help you achieve these requirements quickly and efficiently so you can start on that all-important build.
After finalising the planning phase, we'll help you compile all the necessary documents into a detailed design, complete with all the structural calculations and reports. For those without a hard hat in their wardrobe, we suggest considering our detailed design and management services to oversee the build and source reputable quotes from contractors. Additionally, we have the expertise to ensure smooth utility connections without any complications.

On going site progress photo

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey of maximising residential site potential is like taking flight in an exciting new adventure. Whether you're a developer with an eye for opportunity or a homeowner looking to spread your wings, there's a wealth of potential waiting to be unlocked. With the right guidance, you can duck out of the ordinary and create something extraordinary. So, take the leap, spread your wings, and let Silver Teal help you soar to new heights in property development!

About the Author

Joe Marshall BSc (Hons)
Building Surveyor and Director of Silver Teal Ltd

With an expansive career throughout London and Southeast England. Joe brings a wealth of expertise to the Silver Teal Workspace. His extensive experience in both public and private sectors, notably in social housing and emergency services, has honed his proficiency in building pathology and the overall built environment. Joe's academic achievements are highlighted by his 1st Class Honours degree in Building Surveying.

As a director, he is a fervent advocate for nurturing young talent and fostering industry growth. Joe is committed to propelling Silver Teal Workspace forward with his visionary leadership.

If you would like a complimentary discussion with Joe feel free to get in touch

📞 0208 103 4842
✉️ [email protected]