Sell a Building for Conversion in Sevenoaks
In England, some offices, shops and barns can become homes through permitted development with prior approval rather than a full planning application. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules. Land to Homes checks which route applies to your building in Sevenoaks and whether its structure, layout and daylight can produce good homes.
Sevenoaks · TN13Free site appraisal
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- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Land and sites near Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks (TN13) is one of the Kent towns we cover, about 14 miles west of Maidstone. Nearby, we also cover Tonbridge, Swanley and Caterham, all within 12 miles. Within England, Sevenoaks falls in the South East region.
Around Sevenoaks we look at former garage blocks and yards, small holdings and pony paddocks and brownfield land in and around Sevenoaks. In England, where Sevenoaks sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
Tell us where your land is around Sevenoaks and we will explain the routes open to you.
Our approach in Sevenoaks
Building regulations apply
Changing a building to homes brings in building regulations or, in Scotland, a building warrant, covering fire safety, sound insulation, energy efficiency and escape routes. These often drive conversion costs.
Class MA in England
In England, Class MA allows many buildings in commercial, business and service use to become homes through prior approval, covering matters such as transport, flooding, noise and natural light. Councils can remove it locally through Article 4 directions.
Direct purchase of buildings
Where a building suits us, we can buy it ourselves, with or without consent, with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract. Any offer is set out in writing.
Class Q for barns
In England, Class Q can allow some agricultural buildings to become homes through prior approval, subject to limits and exclusions. The building generally needs to be capable of conversion without amounting to a rebuild.
Planning in Sevenoaks: the English rules
In England, most planning applications for new homes in Sevenoaks are decided by the local planning authority, usually the council, using its Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. Many landowners sell without planning, either outright or through an option or promotion agreement that funds the application first. Land to Homes offers a free site appraisal, pays your reasonable legal fees on option and promotion agreements, and can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract.
In England, Class MA allows many buildings in commercial, business and service use to convert to homes through prior approval, and Class Q covers some agricultural buildings. These rights are England-only, carry conditions and exclusions, and can be removed locally by Article 4 directions. New homes must meet national space standards, and pubs need full planning permission.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Sell a Building for Conversion in Sevenoaks
What is Class Q permitted development?
Class Q is an England-only right that can allow agricultural buildings to become homes through prior approval, subject to limits on numbers and floor space and exclusions for listed buildings and some protected areas. The building must be suitable for conversion rather than needing substantial rebuilding. Scotland has a separate, narrower right of its own.
Can I convert an office to flats without planning permission?
In England, many office buildings can change to homes under Class MA permitted development, which needs prior approval from the council rather than full planning permission. Conditions and exclusions apply, including for listed buildings, some protected areas and places covered by an Article 4 direction. Elsewhere in the UK, a planning application is normally needed.
Do pubs need planning permission to convert to homes?
Yes, in most cases. In England, pubs no longer have permitted development rights to change to housing, so a full planning application is needed, and councils usually look for evidence that the pub is no longer viable. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland also normally require full planning permission.
Will VAT be charged when I sell my commercial building?
It may be, if you have opted to tax it. However, a buyer who intends to convert the building into homes can, in many cases, give you a certificate that disapplies the option to tax. The rules are technical, so ask your accountant before agreeing terms.
Do you buy land in Sevenoaks?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Sevenoaks and elsewhere in Kent, including Deal, Gravesend and Maidstone. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
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