Sell a Building for Conversion in Formby
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 Formby and whether its structure, layout and daylight can produce good homes.
Formby · L37Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
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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
Selling land around Formby
About 11 miles north of Liverpool, Formby is part of our Merseyside coverage, centred on postcode district L37. Close by, our coverage also takes in Maghull, Southport and Bootle. Formby is part of England’s North West region.
Typical sites we review near Formby include backland plots with a workable access, infill gaps along existing streets and redundant agricultural buildings. In England, where Formby sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
Send us a postcode in or near L37 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.
Why work with Land to Homes in Formby
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.
Pubs and chapels
Pubs, chapels and community halls do not usually benefit from these rights and need full planning permission. Councils often ask for evidence that the existing use is no longer viable or needed.
Planning route identified
We check whether permitted development with prior approval could apply, or whether a full application, and possibly listed building consent, is needed. The route shapes cost, risk and value.
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.
Rules that apply in Formby
Selling development land in Formby usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
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 registration | HM Land Registry |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Common questions in Formby
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.
What makes a building suitable for conversion to homes?
Good natural light, a sensible floor depth, adequate ceiling heights, a sound structure, room for bin and bike stores, and a location where people want to live. Buildings that need major structural work, or whose windows cannot light every habitable room, are harder and more expensive to convert.
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.
What is an asset of community value?
In England, a community group can ask the council to list a building such as a pub or hall as an asset of community value. If a listed asset is put up for sale, a moratorium can give community groups a chance to bid, but it does not force you to sell to them. Scotland has its own community right to buy.
Do you buy land in Formby?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Formby and elsewhere in Merseyside, including Prescot, Bebington and St Helens. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Read more: Sell a Building for Conversion · Guide: Overage and clawback: how they work when you sell land