Planning Permission Routes for Farmers
For small-scale farm diversification, a planning application may be the right route. For housing or major development, the position is usually more strategic and may involve Local Plan promotion, Call for Sites submissions and technical evidence.
The planning process requires an understanding of policy, constraints, access, landscape, ecology, flood risk, heritage and infrastructure. A site with genuine potential still needs to be presented properly.
Farmers should consider planning strategy before approaching developers or agreeing terms, because the route chosen can affect value, risk, control and timing.
Important points for farmers include:
Direct planning applications
This factor can materially affect whether farm land is suitable, valuable and capable of being promoted through planning.
Outline planning permission
This factor can materially affect whether farm land is suitable, valuable and capable of being promoted through planning.
Local Plan promotion
This factor can materially affect whether farm land is suitable, valuable and capable of being promoted through planning.
Call for Sites submissions
This factor can materially affect whether farm land is suitable, valuable and capable of being promoted through planning.
Technical surveys
This factor can materially affect whether farm land is suitable, valuable and capable of being promoted through planning.
Developer marketing
This factor can materially affect whether farm land is suitable, valuable and capable of being promoted through planning.
Why This Matters for Farm Land Value
Farm land can have more than one type of value. Existing agricultural value reflects its current use, but development potential can create hope value or, if planning permission is achieved, a substantially different level of value.
For farmers, the most important step is understanding whether there is a realistic planning route before selling, signing an agreement or spending money on surveys.
The right planning strategy can protect your position and help maximise value.
How Value My Land Helps Farmers Obtain Planning Permission
Value My Land helps farmers understand the planning and development potential of their land before important decisions are made. We can assess the site, review planning policy, consider constraints, identify Local Plan opportunities and advise whether land promotion or a planning application may be suitable.
Where appropriate, we can help farmers explore routes that avoid upfront planning risk, including land promotion arrangements where planning work is funded and managed by the promoter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free Farm Land Review
Value My Land can review your farm land and advise whether there may be a planning, promotion or development value opportunity.
How Do Farmers Obtain Planning Permission?
Find out whether your farm land could have development potential and what steps may help maximise its future value.