Timing is crucial when considering selling a plot of land with planning permission for redevelopment, according to Kent property experts RPC Land and New Homes. Landowners, who have sites with residential planning permission, may have been put off selling due to the recent slowdown in house prices. However, with permissions only lasting for three years, it may advisable to act now as the notoriously slow planning system could present problems. RPC Managing Director Peter Randall said: “Getting planning permission is becoming increasingly expensive and complicated. It can take six to 18 months to get a decision so hitting the market is all about timing. Planning consents used to last five years but now it is only three so it’s important not to sit on a plot and to get professional advice to plan a strategy.

“Just because you have planning consent does not mean a sale is necessarily straight forward, all consents come with conditions and it is very important that those conditions are fulfilled prior to the consent expiring or a renewal of the exciting consent obtained.” Failure to do so could mean delay in sale, loss of consent or an expensive new application with further time delays. Peter Randall added: “It is best to talk to a land agent at the earliest opportunity to ensure the right type of development is planned and that the consent can be implemented, as well as achieving the best price for the site.”

RPC Land and New Homes has offices across Kent in Chatham, Maidstone, Dartford, Ashford and Tonbridge as well as in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. For further information visit www.rpcland.co.uk or for a confidential discussion call Peter Randall on 01732 363633