Free Site Appraisal in Carrickfergus
A free site appraisal in Carrickfergus 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.
Carrickfergus · BT38Free 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
Our coverage in Carrickfergus
About 10 miles north-east of Belfast, Carrickfergus is part of our County Antrim coverage, centred on postcode district BT38. The nearest other places we cover are Newtownabbey (6 miles), Bangor (County Down) (7 miles) and Belfast (10 miles).
Sites worth a conversation around Carrickfergus: former garage blocks and yards, infill gaps along existing streets and land behind street frontages. As Carrickfergus is in Northern Ireland, applications are judged against the Strategic Planning Policy Statement, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Send us a postcode in or near BT38 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.
What we offer in Carrickfergus
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.
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.
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.
The Northern Irish system, as it applies in Carrickfergus
Permission in Principle, an English route, does not apply in Northern Ireland. Instead, landowners near Carrickfergus usually seek outline or full planning permission from the council. Developer contributions are agreed under Section 76 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, and there is no Community Infrastructure Levy. Land to Homes can take on that process through an option or promotion agreement, or buy a suitable site directly, subject to survey, title and contract.
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.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP), made up of a Plan Strategy and a Local Policies Plan |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The 11 district councils, with the Department for Infrastructure deciding regionally significant applications |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
Common questions in Carrickfergus
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is Carrickfergus an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Carrickfergus and elsewhere in County Antrim, including Lisburn, Antrim and Larne. Where a site suits us we can buy it directly, or set up an option or promotion agreement. On promotion there is nothing to pay upfront.
Read more: Free Site Appraisal · Guide: How is development land valued?