Colin Muller’s latest interview with The Telegraph reveals insight into the complexities of today’s planning process, the hidden costs, along with how to unlock value from your property the and potential benefits of downsizing your unused garden.
Downsizing your unused garden may unlock value from your property and make you fortunes!
Do you have a large extension to your property, such as a sizeable garden which is a pain to maintain, or a plot of unused land standing empty and overgrown? You could be sitting on a goldmine if you sell to a developer looking for land to build new homes.
Demand for suitable land has significantly surged following the government’s latest goal of building 1.5 million homes in five years. To reach this goal, the government sees freeing up “grey belt” land – defined as lesser-quality, pre-developed land within the Green Belt – and encourages building on brownfield sites, which are old industrial or abandoned areas. Despite these initiatives, developers still face challenges raised by locals who campaign to block the building of new homes in their communities.
But if you have spare land or an extended garden you don’t use and have no issue with becoming a literal “Yimby” (Yes In My Back Yard), then selling to a developer could unlock value from your unused property.
Why sell your land to a developer?
While large gardens and smallholdings may be wonderful additions to your property, they quickly become a burden to maintain later in life. Best part is that they represent a valuable asset which can be liquidated for extra cash that can be reinvested in you or your family, without needing to move to downsize your property.
Colin Muller, of planning experts Muller Property Group, says:
“A typical scenario involves a house with a garden that is substantially larger than the property’s footprint. Reducing the garden size by an acre or more rarely affects the property’s marketability or value, which is driven more by the house’s size, condition and location.”
“Post-war homes built in the 1940s and 1950s often sit on these generous plots. They’re typically not of historic significance and present strong redevelopment opportunities.”
“In Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, we recently combined three adjacent plots, including one full property and its garden, to create a 35-home development. All three owners were delighted with the value we achieved for them.”
Do you need planning permission to sell your land?
You don’t. But having planning permission sorted will increase its value, sometimes even doubling it. The journey to obtain planning permission yourself is not an easy one though. You would take on all the risk and cost of getting planning permission. If you’re successful, then you retain the most value for your land. But if you’re inexperienced with planning rules, mistakes may creep in and could stretch out the timescale beyond a year, raising the risk of being rejected and losing tens of thousands of pounds in the process. Delays are bound to happen whenever, even if things go right, as the Local Planning Authorities are facing a surplus of work while being considerably underfunded.
“Securing planning permission is far from straightforward in 2025,” says Mr Muller.
“For a one-to-two-acre site, planning costs can range from £50,000 to £100,000, a similar sum to a site of 10 times the size which stems from the extensive validation requirements now embedded in the planning process.”
Benefits of selling your land to Muller Property Group to Unlock Value from your Property
Muller Property Group is a privately owned, family-run business, with over 25 years’ experience promoting land through the UK planning system. We work closely with landowners and local authorities to deliver high-quality housing developments that meet the needs of local communities. We fully fund and manage the planning process at our own risk, providing expert support from start to finish.
Our expert team combines deep market insight with planning and development expertise to identify and secure deliverable, consented sites in prime locations. Every project is driven by rigorous due diligence, close collaboration with local authorities, and a commitment to creating sustainable, design-led communities that meet the needs of residents today and for generations to come.
By working with Muller Property Group, you will benefit from:
- A higher land value: We unlock value from your property that most others can’t see.
- No planning stress: We handle everything from surveys to strategy.
- A smooth, secure sale: No agents, no waiting, just straightforward progress.
- We invest in your land: Using our resources, experts and vast knowledge base we push to secure the best value for your site.
- Transparent partnership: We have your best interest at heart. That’s why you will be informed at every step of the process.
- Maximum value — minimum hassle: The process of town planning is complex so we take full control and a firm hand in running the job from start to finish. We take away all the headache associated with securing successful planning on your land.
Alternatively, you could advertise your land through an agent that will help value the land, apply for planning permission on your behalf and connect you with developers but be prepared to pay large fees. Here at Muller Property Group we take no fees, are only interested in acting on the landowner’s behalf, and have the tools necessary to turn all this into reality.
If you’re open to discussing how we can help bring your land forward, we’d love to arrange a quick, no-obligation discussion. Give us a call at 0800 788 0900 or an email at muller@muller-property.co.uk and we will provide you with an in-depth explanation of the process.
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