Types Of Development Land

One of the most basic steps in identifying land to develop in the UK is understanding the differences between the types of land available, which can greatly affect a plot's value or development potential. Let's take a look at the different types of land and what this means for their potential use.

Zoning in the UK

While the UK does not use land zoning as other countries do, the planning system operates smaller local plans overseen by councils that do place land in similar categories. For developers, land categorised as woodland, public open space or agricultural is unlikely to be attractive except for specialised projects because building work is highly restricted. It is also important to identify the type of zoning that land has, because even land zoned as residential or industrial may come with conditions that restrict high-density developments or highly polluting activities, for example. Zones can also be changed if the developer can make a case explaining why this would be beneficial for the surrounding area.

Brownfield land

Brownfield sites are places that were formerly occupied by industrial units, particularly heavy industry which has left the site unsuitable for parkland or agricultural use. Land designated as brownfield has high development potential, as it is widely viewed positively by local councils looking to re-use former industrial sites which have fallen into disrepair. Much of the development in Britain has been on such sites in recent years, and so brownfield sites continue to grow in value as their numbers decline.

Green belt land

Green belt land is restricted building land designed to encircle urban areas and prevent them from spreading too widely. While green belt land is difficult to develop, there are a few exceptions. Existing large villages are exempt from the green belt and have their own planning rules that are less restricted, while smaller or open villages are known as washed green belt sites - places where the green belt rules 'wash over' the whole development.

Contaminated land

Sites that have seen particularly heavy industry or landfill are designated as contaminated land and require special treatment by land reclamation professionals before they can be used. Councils are particularly happy to see these sites cleaned and re-used, so planning permission is easier to obtain, but the building cost is often higher due to the extra cost of decontamination.

Commercial land

Land designated as commercial may only be used for commercial buildings, but the Office for National Statistics has a very wide definition of these, which includes not only shops and businesses but also schools, universities, health facilities, offices and garages. These premises are also subject to restrictions based on usage type, for example, whether they can be used to serve food, so it's important to check before you make a purchase.

Residential land

Land categorised as residential may seem the obvious choice for building, but it's such a rare commodity that it's often out of reach of all but the big developers. More than 90% of the land in Britain is barred from residential development, and residential building is often only allowed around existing residential areas, which is why alternative sites like brownfield and contaminated land are so popular.