Sell Land for Development in Harpenden
If you own land in Harpenden that could take new homes, you can sell it to Land to Homes as it stands or let us take it through planning first. Selling now gives you certainty. Going through planning first usually raises what the land is worth. On promotion agreements we fund the planning work, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Harpenden · AL5Free 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
Selling land around Harpenden
We cover Harpenden as part of Hertfordshire. It is about 11 miles north of Watford, around postcode district AL5. Nearby, we also cover St Albans, Luton and Hemel Hempstead, all within 6 miles. Harpenden is in the East of England region of England.
In and around Harpenden, the land we appraise ranges from farmland next to the settlement boundary to large and long rear gardens, including corner plots and side gardens. As Harpenden is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you own land near Harpenden, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
What we offer in Harpenden
Your legal fees covered
On option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees. The figure is agreed up front in the heads of terms, so there are no surprises later.
Every nation covered
We work across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and tailor each deal to the planning and conveyancing rules that apply where your land sits.
Free site appraisal
A no-obligation desktop appraisal covering access, planning policy, likely constraints and an indicative number of homes, before you spend a penny on advice.
Nothing to pay upfront
Where we promote land through planning, we fund the planning work. They are only recovered from the sale proceeds if the land sells with permission.
How the rules work in Harpenden
Whether a field or large garden could take homes depends mostly on the council's Local Plan and national policy. Under the National Planning Policy Framework, plans define settlement boundaries, and land just outside Harpenden may still come forward if it is allocated, previously developed or meets evidenced unmet housing need. Smaller housing schemes can also use Permission in Principle, an England-only route that settles location, use and amount first. Our free appraisal explains which route suits your land.
In England, planning decisions follow the National Planning Policy Framework and the council's Local Plan. Where a council cannot show enough land for housing, sites on the edge of settlements can come forward sooner, which affects whether we buy now or promote.
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
|---|---|
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Sell Land for Development in Harpenden: questions
Do I need an agent to sell development land?
You do not have to use one, but independent advice is sensible on any land deal. Many landowners use a land agent or chartered surveyor, and you will need your own solicitor. Where we agree to cover your reasonable legal fees, the cap is set out in writing.
What makes land suitable for new homes?
Good road access, a position next to or within an existing settlement, no overriding constraints such as high flood risk, and local planning policy that supports new housing. Sites that miss one of these can still work, but the route and timescale change.
What size of land do you buy?
From single infill plots that could take one or two homes up to fields large enough for a full development. If a site is too small or too constrained for us, we will tell you quickly rather than leave you waiting.
How long does selling land for development take?
A direct sale of land with clear title can move as quickly as the legal work allows. Where planning permission is needed first, the timescale depends on the local plan and the planning process, which is why options and promotion agreements run over a set term.
Is Harpenden an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Harpenden and elsewhere in Hertfordshire, including Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. 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: Sell Land for Development · Guide: How is development land valued?