Check before you invest

Investors are being urged by local planners to speak to them before buying plots of land for potential housing development, as planning approvals may not actually be given.

Hertsmere Borough Council’s planners have issued the warning after being made aware of ‘too good to be true’ opportunities to buy premium plots of land within the borough, land which is often in green belt and therefore protected.

Usually information about the land does not include any advice about local planning controls or the risks associated with the land not receiving planning permission.

Cllr Charles Goldstein, portfolio holder for planning, said: "We have been made aware of these schemes before and suggest that potential investors should be very cautious and not invest assuming that planning permission will be given.

“We have strict controls over the developments we allow within our borough, and current and future housing allocations, in particular, are controlled by our local plan and core strategy. In particular we would not generally approve development on green belt land and so any kind of planning permission on such plots is unlikely."

The warnings come after officers received calls about land being sold off between Radlett and Borehamwood, with the potential for housing development. A similar property scheme was run several years ago on a nearby site by a company which has since gone into administration and officers had to deal with a number of disgruntled people who bought plots of land on the understanding that they could be developed for housing.

Cllr Goldstein continued: "Our best advice would be not to invest in such opportunities until you have checked out information and planning controls from your local authority, otherwise you could end up with a plot of land you can do nothing with.”