Free Site Appraisal
A free site appraisal in the UK is a no-obligation review of your land's development potential. Land to Homes looks at local planning policy, access, flood risk, heritage, ecology and title, considers what kind of scheme might fit, and explains the routes open to you, from a direct sale to an option or promotion agreement.
Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- 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
Free Site Appraisal: how it works
Our free site appraisal is the starting point for every conversation with a landowner. It is a no-obligation review of your land's development potential, based on official planning documents, constraint mapping, title records, highway information and, where useful, a site visit. We look at how the development plan treats your land, which constraints are likely to matter, whether access and services work, and roughly what kind of scheme might fit. We then explain the routes open to you, from a direct purchase to an option, promotion agreement or joint venture, and the trade-offs of each. The appraisal is not a formal valuation, legal advice or a promise that planning will be granted. It is an informed, honest view that helps you decide whether to go further, and if your land is unlikely to suit new homes, we will tell you so.
Who is this for?
- You are wondering whether your land could take new homes
- You have had a letter from a developer and want context
- You want to know the constraints before paying consultants
- You are an executor or trustee with land to assess
- You own several parcels and want to know which has potential
- Your council is reviewing its plan and you may put land forward
What you get with Land to Homes
Planning policy reviewed
We read the adopted development plan, its policies map and any emerging plan, and note how your land is treated: within a settlement boundary, allocated, protected or open countryside.
Constraints mapped
Flood zones, conservation areas, listed buildings, protected trees, ecological designations and landscape protections are all checked against your boundary using official mapping and published public records.
Access and highways
We look at road frontage, the likely junction position and visibility, and whether the adopted highway actually reaches your land or stops short of it.
Title and boundaries
We read the title register and plan for covenants, rights of way and easements that could affect development, and flag anything your solicitor should look at more closely.
Services and drainage
We check where sewers, water mains and power run, and flag where limited capacity, long connections or drainage design could add significant cost to a scheme.
Indicative scheme
Where prospects look reasonable, we outline what might fit as a broad indication rather than a design, so you can understand the likely scale and form of development.
Routes explained
We set out which deals could suit your land, from direct purchase and conditional contracts to options, promotion agreements and joint ventures, with the trade-offs of each.
No obligation, no cost
The appraisal is free and there is no obligation to go any further. If your land is unlikely to suit new homes, we will tell you plainly and explain why.
What happens next
Send your details
A postcode, a rough boundary and anything you know about the land's history, access and current use.
Desktop review
Planning, constraints, title, highways and services are checked against official records and mapping.
Call or visit
We talk you through the findings and, where useful, arrange a site visit at a time that suits you.
Written summary
You receive a plain-English summary of potential, risks and the routes open to you.
Your decision
You decide whether to go further. If you do, we prepare heads of terms for you and your advisers to review.
How it differs across the UK
ENGEngland
In England, we check the Local Plan and policies map, the Environment Agency's flood map for planning, Green Belt boundaries, designations shown on Defra's MAGIC map, and whether the site appears on the council's brownfield land register. Title comes from HM Land Registry. We also consider whether biodiversity net gain would apply to the likely scheme.
WLSWales
In Wales, we check the Local Development Plan, the Flood Map for Planning from Natural Resources Wales used under Technical Advice Note 15, listed buildings and scheduled monuments recorded by Cadw, and whether the site lies in a river catchment with phosphate limits. Drainage is assessed early, since most schemes need SuDS approving body approval.
SCTScotland
In Scotland, we check the Local Development Plan and NPF4, SEPA's flood maps, Historic Environment Scotland designations, and whether the land is croft land. Title is read from the Land Register or, for older titles, the Register of Sasines kept by Registers of Scotland. Former coalfield areas may need a Coal Authority check.
NIRNorthern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, we check the council's local development plan or the older area plan still in force, the SPPS, the Department for Infrastructure's flood maps, historic environment records held by the Department for Communities, and title held by Land & Property Services. We also look at wastewater capacity, which is a constraint in some areas.
Frequently asked questions
What does a free site appraisal include?
It covers local planning policy, constraints such as flood risk and heritage, access to the road, title issues, services, and an indication of the kind of scheme that might fit. It ends with a view on the realistic routes for your land. It is not a formal valuation, and it is not legal advice.
Is the site appraisal really free?
Yes. The appraisal is free and carries no obligation. You do not have to sign anything to receive it, and asking for one does not commit you to selling or entering any agreement. If you later decide to go ahead, any terms are set out in writing first.
Will the appraisal tell me what my land is worth?
Not as a formal valuation. We explain the factors that drive development land value for your site, such as the likely number of homes, local sale values and build costs. If we make an offer later, it will be in writing. For a formal valuation, instruct a chartered surveyor.
What information do I need to provide for a site appraisal?
A postcode or rough boundary is enough to start. It helps to add the title number if you know it, the current use, any planning history, any tenancies, and known issues such as drainage or access disputes. Photos and existing reports are useful but not essential.
Will you need to visit my land?
Often, if the desktop review shows realistic potential. We will arrange a visit at a time that suits you and explain what we want to look at, such as the access point, boundaries and ground conditions. Many sites can be ruled in or out without a visit.
Does a site appraisal mean I will get planning permission?
No. Nobody can promise planning permission, because the decision rests with the planning authority, or on appeal. The appraisal gives an informed view of prospects and risks, based on policy and constraints, so you can decide whether pursuing planning is worth the time and cost.
Will you contact my neighbours or the council?
Not without your agreement. We use what you share to assess your land and discuss it with you. Our desktop review relies on published records and mapping. If talking to a neighbour or the council would help, we will ask you first and explain why.
Can I ask for an appraisal on land I am selling for someone else?
Yes, if you are acting for the owner, for example as an executor, trustee, attorney or land agent. We will need to understand your authority before discussing terms. If you are a buyer looking at land, a planning consultant or surveyor can advise you independently.
Free Site Appraisal by area
Local guidance for every county and area we cover, with the planning and land rules that apply there.
ENGEngland
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- County Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire