A site appraisal is a desk-based review of a piece of land and its planning prospects. It answers the questions that matter first: could this land be developed, what would it take, and is it worth pursuing?
It is the sensible first step for landowners wondering what their land might be worth to a developer, for buyers weighing up an offer, and for anyone about to spend money on surveys, drawings or an application.
When it helps
- You own land and want to know whether it has development potential
- You are considering buying a site, or an option on one, and need a planning view first
- You have received an offer for your land and want to understand it
- You are about to commission surveys or drawings and want to be sure the site justifies the cost
- An earlier application was refused and you want a fresh view
What we look at
- Planning policy: whether the site is inside or outside the settlement boundary, in the Green Belt or open countryside, or allocated in the Local Plan, and what national policy says
- Planning history: previous applications, appeals and decisions on the site and on neighbouring land
- Constraints: flood risk, heritage assets, trees, ecology and protected sites, rights of way, pylons, pipelines and contamination
- Access and highways: whether a safe access can be formed, and whether the local road network is likely to be a problem
- Surroundings and character: where the edge of the settlement sits, and what would sit comfortably next to existing homes
- Biodiversity and wildlife: biodiversity net gain and, near the Essex coast, the Essex Coast RAMS contribution
- Scale and form: a realistic idea of what could be built, and the likely planning obligations
What you get
- A written appraisal in plain English, with a clear recommendation on whether, how and when to proceed
- A summary of the main constraints and opportunities, shown on a plan where that helps
- A view on the most realistic route, for example a planning application now, pre-application advice first, or promotion through the Local Plan
- A list of the specialist input likely to be needed (ecology, highways, flood risk and so on), so you know what lies ahead before you commit
How it works
Send us the site
The address or postcode, a plan if you have one, who owns the land and what you have in mind.
We do the desk work
We review policy, planning history, constraints and access, and study the site and its surroundings.
We talk it through
We share early findings and check we have understood your aims. A site visit is arranged where it will add something.
You get the appraisal
A written report setting out our view, the main risks and the sensible next step.
Worth knowing
An appraisal is a professional opinion, not a guarantee. Nobody can promise planning permission, and we will not.
Sometimes the honest answer is ‘not yet’ or ‘no’. That is still useful: it is far cheaper to hear it now than after an application has been refused.
An appraisal looks at planning prospects. It is not a valuation. A formal valuation of land is a job for a chartered surveyor, and we will say when it would be sensible to involve one.
Common questions
Do I need to own the site to ask for an appraisal?
No. Buyers, and people considering an offer or an option, often commission an appraisal first. We just need to know who owns the land and what your interest in it is.
How long does an appraisal take?
It depends on the site. A straightforward site can be turned around quickly, while larger or more constrained sites need longer. We agree the timescale with you before we start.
Will you visit the site?
Usually, yes. A visit often shows things a desk study misses, such as levels, access, boundaries and neighbouring uses. We agree this when we scope the work.
This page is general information, not legal or professional advice on your site. Planning policy and rules change, so we check the current position for every project.