Sell land with planning permission in Essex
Owners of land with planning permission in Essex can sell directly to us, whether the land is near Southend-on-Sea, Basildon and Colchester or in the villages between.
Consented land sells on detail. We read every condition and obligation so our offer is based on the scheme as approved, not on guesswork.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- No pressure to decide
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Essex
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Land with planning permission in Essex at a glance
Metropolitan Green Belt covers the south and west of the county, while mid and north Essex have larger areas of farmland around growing towns.
| County | Essex |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Towns we cover here | 22 |
| Main town | Southend-on-Sea |
| Example postcode districts | CM1, CM7, CM8, CM9, CM11 |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
Is your land in Essex a good fit?
- Full or outline permission for one home or more
- Permissions that are still within their time limit, or have been lawfully started
- Sites with a signed Section 106 agreement we can read
- Prior approvals for conversions, such as agricultural buildings to homes
- Lapsed or lapsing permissions, which we can look at renewing
If you already hold consent, you have done the hard part. We review the decision notice, conditions and any legal agreement, then make an offer that reflects what it will really cost to build.
What affects the price
Time left on the permission
A permission close to expiry may need a quick start or a fresh application, and that affects price.
Pre-commencement conditions
Conditions that must be discharged before building starts can add surveys, cost and delay.
Scheme quality
A scheme that is hard to build or sell may need redesigning, which reduces the land value.
Sale values nearby
What similar new homes sell for locally sets the ceiling on value.
Ways to sell this land
Consented land sells on detail. We read every condition and obligation so our offer is based on the scheme as approved, not on guesswork.
Outright purchase
The usual route for consented land: agree a price, then exchange and complete.
Subject-to-planning sale
Useful if you want us to improve or renew the permission before completion.
Option agreements
Rarely needed once consent exists, but can suit phased sites.
Joint ventures
An option if you would like a share of the profit from building the homes.
What happens next
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We check it properly
Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.
We put an offer in writing
It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.
The legal work
Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.
Planning and legal points for land in Essex
Planning framework
Planning decisions in England follow the National Planning Policy Framework, revised in August 2026, and the local plan, prepared by the council or, in a national park, the park authority. Plans are reviewed periodically, which is when new housing sites are usually allocated.
Biodiversity net gain
Under the Environment Act 2021, most developments in England must deliver at least a 10% gain in biodiversity. Since 6 August 2026, sites of 0.2 hectares or less are exempt unless priority habitat is affected.
Agricultural buildings (Class Q)
In England, Class Q permitted development can allow some agricultural buildings to become homes through prior approval, within limits on size and number of homes.
Section 106 and CIL
Larger schemes often need a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing or contributions, and councils that have adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy charge it per square metre of new floorspace.
Common problems, and how we handle them
The conditions look onerous
Some conditions are routine and some are expensive. We price each one so you can see what is driving the offer.
The Section 106 makes the scheme unviable
If costs have moved since consent, a viability review or a variation may be possible. We will tell you if we think that is realistic.
Useful to send us
- The address or postcode
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Any planning applications or letters
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
Common questions
How long does planning permission last?
In England, full planning permission usually requires work to start within three years, and in Wales within five, unless the decision notice says otherwise. Outline permissions have separate time limits for reserved matters. The decision notice sets out the exact dates.
Does a permission go with the land when I sell?
Yes. Planning permission attaches to the land, not to the owner, so it passes to the buyer automatically.
Can you buy if I only have outline permission?
Yes. We will price the reserved matters work and the risk that the detailed design changes the number or type of homes.
Do you buy land in Essex?
Yes. We consider land across Essex, from Southend-on-Sea to the smaller towns and villages. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, and we'll tell you either way.
Land with planning permission by town in Essex
Find out what we'd pay for your land in Essex
Send the postcode and a rough size and we'll come back with a straight answer.