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Sell land without planning permission in Hitchin

We buy land without planning permission across Hertfordshire. In Hitchin, as everywhere, the offer depends on the land itself: its access, its planning prospects and what can sensibly be built.

Without consent, land is valued on its current use plus whatever hope value its location supports. We will explain how much of our offer is each, so you can see what you are being paid for.

  • Free appraisal and written offer
  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • No pressure to decide

Get an offer for land in Hitchin

Free, no-obligation appraisal.

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Land around Hitchin

Hitchin (SG4) sits in OS grid square TL12, some 21 miles north of Watford. Sites between here and Letchworth Garden City or Henlow are just as much of interest to us.

Most of the county is Metropolitan Green Belt, which makes land with genuine development prospects scarce and keenly contested.

TownHitchin
CountyHertfordshire
CountryEngland
Postcode districtSG4
OS grid squareTL12
Nearest towns we coverLetchworth Garden City (3 mi), Stevenage (5 mi), Henlow (6 mi)
Distance from WatfordAbout 21 miles north
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Rolling pasture field seen over a galvanised five-bar gate with an oak tree beyond

What makes land without planning permission near Hitchin worth an offer

  • Fields and paddocks on the edge of settlements
  • Sites the council has assessed in its land availability study
  • Land with a road frontage or a clear way to create access
  • Land where neighbouring sites have recently gained permission

If you'd rather not wait for planning, an outright sale gives certainty now. If you can wait, a subject-to-planning or option deal usually pays more in the end.

The things that move our offer

Current use value

Agricultural or amenity value is the floor under any offer.

Local plan position

Land allocated, or close to being allocated, for housing carries far more hope value.

Access and services

Land that is easy to reach and connect is cheaper to promote and build on.

Constraints

Green belt, flood zones, heritage and landscape designations reduce the chance of consent.

From first call to completion

  1. Send us the address

    A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.

  2. We do the homework

    We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.

  3. You get a written offer

    With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.

  4. The legal work

    Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.

Planning and legal points for land in Hertfordshire

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.

Green belt and grey belt

Green belt land is protected from inappropriate development. National policy in England also recognises 'grey belt': green belt land that doesn't strongly contribute to key green belt purposes, where housing can be acceptable if further tests are met.

Farm tenancies

Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies have their own notice and compensation rules, which affect when land can be developed.

Awkward details we deal with

The council says the land is outside the settlement

Settlement boundaries change when plans are reviewed. We look at the plan timetable and whether the site could be promoted at the next review.

A neighbour objects to everything

Objections are weighed against planning policy, not counted. We judge the scheme on policy grounds.

Useful to send us

  • The address or postcode
  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

What people ask us about land without planning permission

Can I sell land without planning permission?

Yes. Land without consent is bought and sold every day. The question is whether you want a lower price now or a higher price later that depends on permission being granted.

What happens if planning is refused?

On a conditional contract or option, if permission is not granted within the agreed period the deal ends and you keep the land. Any option fee paid is usually yours to keep.

Do you buy land in the green belt?

Sometimes. Green belt land is hard to develop, though England's planning policy now recognises 'grey belt' land. We will tell you frankly whether your site has a realistic prospect.

Can you visit land near Hitchin?

Yes. Once we've looked at the title and planning position, we arrange a site visit if the land looks suitable. Send the address or postcode to start.

Find out what we'd pay for your land near Hitchin

A free appraisal tells you what we'd pay and why.