6 Positives To Selling With Planning Permission

Have you ever browsed property listings and seen the phrase ‘potential to extend, subject to planning permission’? An estate agent may use this term when a property for sale has the potential to be enlarged or remodelled, based on what has happened at neighbouring dwellings.

If the homes on either side have a loft conversion or a side extension, there is a high chance planning permission would be given for something similar at the given property. The word ‘chance’ is used, however, as without official documentation from the local planning department, there is no guarantee. As such, a purchaser buying because there is ‘potential’ to extend does so at their own risk.

Preferred is a property for sale where planning permission has already been granted and here are six reasons why:

1. You’ve done the admin for the buyer: applying for planning permission involves the owner liaising with the local planning department. Firstly, it needs establishing whether planning permission is actually needed for the type of work that’s being suggested and if permission is needed, the application process needs completing.

Next, scaled plans will need drafting by an architect, draughtsman, builder or planning consultant. These will need submitting to the local planning department via an online planning portal for council approval. Hopefully, planning permission will be granted and there will be a paper trail to substantiate this.

2. You’ve given a purchaser a guarantee: granted planning permission takes away any element of doubt that intended work can go ahead. This is incredibly important for buyers who have plans to enlarge or remodel a property in the future but don’t have the budget to pay a premium for an already-extended home.

3. You will have saved the purchaser money: as the saying goes, ‘every little helps’ and sellers willing to invest in getting planning permission will have saved the purchaser some money. That itself is has ‘feel good factor’ about it. For context, a full planning permission application for alterations/extensions to a single dwelling house or a flat in England is circa £258. A set of accurate plans will cost in the region of £1,000, according to Checkatrade’s figures.

4. You will have increased your home’s appeal: as well as families who want a home that grows with them, a property sold with planning permission in place will appeal to a wide audience. Property investors, ‘flippers’ and builders looking to undertake the work themselves will all look favourably on homes where they know a project can start immediately.

5. You will have added value to the property: even without laying a single brick, granted planning permission can help homeowners achieve a higher sales figure. In fact, a 2024 survey by Home Sale Pack found homes that come to the market with planning permission in place carry an average price premium of 11%.

6. You will have saved building, labour and material costs: planning permission as a stand-alone aspect will add £32,175 to the average home, using the Halifax’s latest average house price. You only have to look at the typical costs to add an extension or convert a space to see how much you could save by getting permission but not actually carrying out the work. According to Checkatrade, a small, double-storey side return extension cost an average of £55,000, with a bungalow loft conversion of 50m2 setting homeowners back an average of £75,000.
   
   Planning permission need to know points

• Not all extensions and remodelling work need planning permission: check with your local planning depart to establish if what you have in mind falls under ‘permitted development rights’
• Typically, planning permission is valid for three years from the time the local planning authority grants it
• All planning permission applications – even those that are not being actioned right away – will be flagged up in the immediate vicinity by way of small, pastel-coloured notices tied to lampposts and fences
• The full plans will be available for anybody to view on the local planning department’s online portal
• Neighbours are free to make positive, negative and neutral comments about a planning permission application, which will be taken into consideration by the local planners
• A decision on whether planning permission has been granted usually follows within two months of the application, so apply in plenty of time if you want to sell with permission
• Applicants can appeal if permission is not granted
• If an application is refused, the homeowner can usually submit another application with modified plans, free of charge, within 12 months of the decision of the first application

If you have planning permission granted and would like to sell your property, please contact your local branch of White & Brooks to book a valuation appointment. We can also match buyers with homes where there is already planning permission or where there is potential that hasn’t been explored.