land investment faqs

Green Belt is a planning policy tool which aims to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. Generally, Green Belt comprises countryside which is used for agriculture, forestry or other similar open uses. When defined, Green Belt can shape patterns of development and ensure that development occurs at locations which have been allocated by local planning authorities. However, the boundaries of the Green Belt can exceptionally be changed to, for example, meet future development needs (Source: 1.4 and 2.7, PPG2, January 1995).

Greenfield is land that has not previously been developed. It includes forestry, agricultural land, and associated buildings that have been blended into the natural landscape.

Brownfield or previously developed land is land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land and any associated fixed surface infrastructure. There is, however, no presumption that land which has been previously developed is necessarily suitable for housing development nor that the whole of the curtilage should be developed (Source: Annex A, PPS3, November 2006).

No. We specialise in selling individual freehold plots of investment land that don’t currently have planning permission. By buying a plot of land without planning permission; the potential value can increase as much as ten-fold if and when planning permission for residential development is granted on your plot. This is where the greatest profits can be made (Source: The Independent, 6th December, 2005).

Please note that the value of land can fall as well as rise.

We cannot guarantee if or when planning permission will be granted. You own the freehold title and retain day–to–day control of your investment plot and you can seek planning at any point.

Between Spring 1986 and January 2006 residential land values rose at almost double the rate of property with residential house prices rising by 410% whereas land values rose by 764% (Source: Housing Statistics Briefing, English Partnerships, September 2006).

Please note that the value of land can fall as well as rise.

See land as an investment for more information.

Vantage Land specialise in larger acreages of land for sale for many purposes including; investment, grazing, farming and recreational uses.

Visit www.vantageland.co.uk for more information.

You can use your plot for any lawful purpose because you own the freehold with vacant possession and have full control over its management. You must have been successful in obtaining planning permission on your plot before you can build and this is not likely to occur in the short term.

Yes, you own the freehold plot of land with vacant possession and your solicitor will make sure your plot is registered at the Land Registry in your name. As soon as you own your plot of land you can chose what happens to it within the law. You can use your plot of land for any lawful purpose.

Yes, you can either buy individual plots of land at the same site or spread your investment over different sites. With a geographically spread portfolio of plots, the potential of future development gains is also spread.

Furthermore, discounts are available on multiple plot purchases.

We want all our investors to have the utmost confidence in their plot purchase. For this reason, we insist that our buyers always obtain independent legal advice from an independent solicitor (we have a list of panel solicitors to choose from should you wish to do so).

Yes, but you must use a UK based solicitor.

Currently, if you buy land, you may be able to attract some relief from income, capital gains, and inheritance tax. Alternatively you can invest in land via a SIPP, which allows your plot to potentially increase in value over the years with no capital gains tax. Please note that tax laws can change.

You must seek independent financial advice; neither Insite Land Investments nor its representatives are qualified by the FSA (Financial Services Authority) to answer questions on these matters.

Your plot of land should usually be viewed as a longer-term investment in which you retain day-to-day control – this is always our recommendation to our customers. However, unforeseen circumstances can occur, and this can impact on longer term plans to keep your plot. As you own the freehold, you are entitled to sell your plot at any time to whomever you choose via any agent you choose and at whatever price you choose just as you would with any property.

A Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) sets out the broad development strategy for a region for a fifteen to twenty year period. The RSS identifies the broad strategic locations, the scale and distribution of new housing; priorities for the environment and other matters including transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, minerals, and waste treatment and disposal (Source: 1.3, PPS11 and 37, PPS3).

A Local Development Framework (LDF) is not a statutory term; however, it sets out, in the form of a portfolio, the local development documents which collectively comprise the spatial strategy for the local planning authority’s area. Essentially, the local development documents apply the requirements of national planning policies and the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) on a local scale. The LDF include a policy which set out the strategy for the planned location of new housing and identifies specific allocations of land for particular uses and development (Source: 1.1 and 2.4, PPS12 and 38, PPS3).

We recognise that if a plot of land is to have development potential, the necessary infrastructure needs to be in place to support the development on that plot. It is also essential that each plot of land is accessible by car either direct from a public highway or via a legally established vehicular right of way.

Of course it is not sufficient for every plot to be accessible from the road; you will want to be certain that your plot is accessible too. For this reason, each individual plot is sold with either direct road frontage or the benefit of a right of way to the public highway. Details of any rights of way will be supplied to your solicitor for checking.

Any access roads shown do exist as dedicated rights of access and are registered as such at the Land Registry. They have no tarmac on them and there are no roads at present. Evidence of any necessary rights of way will be supplied to your solicitor for verification.

We have created a valuable resource guide to aid you in your land investment. Please visit our useful links page for more information.