The planning landscape has undergone significant change in recent years, with revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) creating new opportunities for landowners across the region. For agricultural landowners, particularly those with land adjoining existing settlements, these reforms could improve the prospects of securing development interest and achieving substantial increases in land value.
At Luscombe Maye, we are already seeing increased interest from developers and strategic land promoters seeking opportunities to meet growing housing demand. Understanding how the latest planning changes affect your land is now more important than ever.
A Greater Need for Land to Deliver New Homes
One of the most significant changes within the NPPF is the return of mandatory housing targets for local authorities. Local authorities are once again expected to demonstrate how they will meet substantial housing requirements, with national targets increasing to approximately 370,000 homes per year. This places considerable pressure on planning authorities to identify suitable sites for development.
For landowners, this can create opportunities where sites that may previously have been overlooked are now being actively considered by local authorities and developers alike. As councils seek to deliver their housing allocations, land on the edge of settlements can become increasingly attractive.
Improved Prospects Through Local Plans and Call for Sites
Local authorities are continually reviewing their land supply to ensure they can meet future housing needs. The strengthened emphasis within the NPPF on housing delivery means councils are under greater pressure to allocate development land and maintain an adequate housing pipeline.
This creates a favourable environment for landowners to submit land through:
- Local Plan consultations
- Call for Sites exercises
- Strategic housing land assessments
- Development promotion agreements
A well-located agricultural field adjoining an existing village or town may now receive more favourable consideration than under previous planning policy regimes.
Increased Developer Demand
With rising housing targets and renewed pressure on local authorities to deliver homes, many national and regional housebuilders are actively seeking new strategic land opportunities. Developers increasingly recognise that securing future development sites will be essential to maintaining housing delivery programmes.
This often results in:
- Increased competition for suitable land
- More approaches from developers and promoters
- Greater willingness to enter into option or promotion agreements
- Potentially stronger land values where planning prospects improve
Early engagement can often place landowners in a stronger position to maximise the value of their asset.
Potential for Significant Land Value Uplift
Agricultural land and residential development land can have dramatically different values. While obtaining planning permission is never guaranteed, promoting land through the planning system can unlock significant value if development becomes achievable.
The revised NPPF increases the likelihood that local authorities will need to consider additional development opportunities, particularly around sustainable settlements where housing demand remains strong. For many landowners, this makes it an appropriate time to review whether their land could have future development potential.
Why Early Assessment Matters
Not every site will be suitable for development. Planning considerations such as landscape impact, ecology, access, drainage, and local infrastructure requirements remain critical factors.
However, understanding a site’s potential at an early stage allows landowners to:
- Position land for future allocation opportunities
- Engage with developers and promoters from a position of knowledge
- Protect long-term asset value
- Influence how future development proposals may evolve
How Luscombe Maye Can Help
Luscombe Maye’s Development Land & New Homes team works with landowners across the South West to identify and assess land with development potential.
Our services include:
- Initial development appraisals
- Planning and policy reviews
- Site promotion through Local Plans and Call for Sites submissions
- Marketing land to national, regional, and local developers
- Negotiation of option and promotion agreements
- Development land disposals
If you own land, particularly on the edge of a village, town or settlement, now could be an ideal time to review its development potential.
Contact the Development Land Team if you would like a confidential, no-obligation assessment of your land.
Contact our team today:
01803 225608
developmentland@luscombemaye.com
