How to Assess Whether a Site is Actually Developable: A Planning Consultancy Guide

Before purchasing land, commissioning drawings or engaging investors, the most important step is conducting a planning feasibility assessment. At Cedar Planning, we are often meet developers who engage with planning consultants at a late stage, which can create some big hurdles which we need to overcome.

A structured feasibility assessment identifies constraints, policy risks, opportunities and strategies — giving you clarity on what the planning authority is likely to support.

This guide sets out the methodology used by professional planning consultants to determine whether a site is truly developable.

Why Feasibility Matters

A planning feasibility assessment or site appraisal helps you:

• avoid buying land that can’t be developed

• understand what type of development is achievable

• identify risks before spending money

• compare multiple site options

• spot hidden constraints early

• budget for necessary reports

• negotiate stronger purchase terms

Without an understanding of the above matters you may be costing yourself additional time and money later down the line.

1. Start With the Development Plan (Not Drawings)

At Cedar Planning we prefer to start the process with an assessment of the site against the relevant Local Plan.

This includes a review of the relevant allocations which cover your site which can have a big impact on your proposal. For example,

• Is the site allocated for development?

• If not allocated, does policy allow windfall development?

• Is the site covered by a restrictive policy designation (e.g. Green Belt or open space)?

• What is the council’s housing supply position?

• Does the site sit within an area with growth priorities?

• Is there a Neighbourhood Plan?

Understanding these policy foundations prevents you designing a scheme the council is duty-bound to refuse. As a forward thinking planning consultancy we also review any emerging plans and policies which may impact your proposal.

2. Assess Site Constraints

Site constrains can have a huge impact on your proposal, either stopping certain parts of the site being developed, requiring stricter controls or stopping development all together. Knowing these constraints up front puts you in the best position to navigate these issues later down the line.

Some of the major constraints include:

• Flood Risk - Flood Zones 2 & 3, but also Surface Water Flooding. Can restrict certain forms of development and require a Sequential Test.

• Trees - Tree Protection Orders could stop a potential development.

• Heritage - Listed buildings, conservation areas and non-designated heritage assets all need to be taken into account

• Noise, air quality or other pollutants - Introducing new residential development close to noise generating uses can cause problems with residential amenity.

3. Review Planning History (The Golden Clues)

Strong feasibility work includes a review of the planning history of a site. A previous decision can give an invaluable guide into the Council's thoughts on a site or potential development. However, things often change in planning, and competent planning consultants (such as Cedar Planning) will interpret the sites planning history against the current and future planning policies.

With this in mind, a previous refusal doesn't need to automatically write off the potential of a site. But careful consideration is often required, as is a well constructed planning strategy - which is where we come in!

Conversely a previous approval does not automatically guarantee that planning permission will be granted again.

4. Advise on a Planning Strategy

No assessment is complete without advising on a planning strategy. Depending on the site this could be a pre-application request to the Council, applying for your preferred scheme, or using permitted development rights to create a 'fallback position'.

Cedar Planning - Expert Planning Feasibility Assessments

If you need a professional planning feasibility assessment before committing to a site, our planning consultancy provides:

✓ Full site appraisals
✓ Policy and constraints analysis
✓ Development potential reports
✓ Planning risk assessments
✓ Pre-purchase advice

Get clarity before you invest — contact us for a feasibility assessment.