Sell land subject to planning in Essex
We offer a subject-to-planning sale on land across Essex, including sites around Southend-on-Sea, Basildon and Colchester.
If your land has a good chance of permission but doesn't have it yet, a subject-to-planning deal usually achieves more than an outright sale.
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
- We fund the planning work
Get an offer for land in Essex
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Subject-to-planning sale 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 |
| When you're paid | On completion, after permission is granted |
| Timescale | Planning period, often months |
When a subject-to-planning sale suits land in Essex
- Building plots and garden land without permission
- Land where a previous permission has lapsed
- Brownfield sites needing a housing permission
- Owners willing to wait for a higher price
- Sites where the planning period can be agreed in advance
A conditional contract shares the planning risk fairly. You agree a price today, we fund and run the planning application, and the sale completes if permission comes through.
What to check in a subject-to-planning sale
Price basis
The price is set against the land's value with permission, so it's usually higher than an unconditional offer.
Long-stop date
If permission isn't granted by an agreed date, either side can end the contract.
Acceptable permission
The contract defines what counts as an acceptable consent.
Deposit
A deposit is usually paid on exchange and held until completion.
Land a subject-to-planning sale works for in Essex
Land with planning permission in Essex
Useful if you want us to improve or renew the permission before completion.
Land without planning permission in Essex
We exchange contracts now and complete once permission is granted.
Green belt and grey belt land in Essex
Suits brownfield green belt sites where a scheme can be tested quickly.
Farmland and agricultural land in Essex
Higher price paid when permission is granted on the field.
Garage sites in Essex
The most common route for garage courts.
Brownfield land in Essex
We complete once permission is granted for a housing scheme.
How a sale works
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
We do the homework
We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.
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.
What England's rules mean for your land
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.
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.
When the land isn't straightforward
You're worried about being tied up indefinitely
A long-stop date sets the maximum time. If permission isn't granted by then, you're free.
You're worried we'll get permission for something you don't like
The contract can set out the scheme or limits on what we apply for.
Useful to send us
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Any planning applications or letters
- Photos of the land and its access
Your questions answered
What happens if planning is refused?
We may appeal if the contract allows. If permission isn't secured by the long-stop date, the contract ends and you keep your land.
Can I still use the land before completion?
Usually yes, until we need access for surveys or until completion.
How long does the planning stage take?
In England the statutory period is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major ones; in Wales it's eight weeks. Both extend to sixteen weeks where an environmental impact assessment is needed, and surveys, validation and negotiation often add time.
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.
Subject-to-planning sale 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.