Council makes a new call for local development sites

Scottish Borders Council has called for suitable development sites to build new homes for the region.
SBBN Laura Dixon of George F WhiteSBBN Laura Dixon of George F White
SBBN Laura Dixon of George F White

Laura Dixon, a planning consultant at land and property consultancy George F White,says this is a big opportunity for local farmers and landowners.

“SBC is searching for sites with potential for housing development after their Local Development Plan found they have a shortage of 916 homes,” she said. “Critically, the Scottish Government has set a requirement for local authorities to identify a housing land supply and maintain this supply for at least five years.

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“This presents a huge opportunity for local landowners and farmers, who have been invited to provide assessments of land they would like to make available for housing delivery.

“Now is the time for landowners to seek professional and informed advice about assets and potential development land. We are working with a number of landowners across the region providing specialist advice on planning policy and enforcement issues as well as site appraisals, applications and site valuations.

“The planning system in both England and Scotland can be complicated but navigated successfully it can be a tool to raise the value of land and property in a variety of ways. For example, from gaining planning permission for an extension on your home to gaining planning permission for a housing site and selling to a developer. Whatever the situation, George F White is able to investigate the options and provide advice on the best route to achieve our client’s aims and help them maximise value of their assets.

“George F White provides planning consultancy services from the Borders, Northumberland and County Durham down to Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire. The Borders region is a key focus for the business which saw the opening of a local office in Duns in 2014. In the last 12 months, the Duns office has seen a dramatic rise in planning advice requests from local landowners.

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“George F White’s Planning and Development team have significant experience in assessing land for housing development and providing assessments to Local Planning Authorities, with success of gaining allocated sites. Offering a bespoke service which specialises in land and development site valuations and sales, the team can ensure maximum value of a particular asset or development site is achieved.

The ‘call for sites’ closes on March 31. If you would like an assessment contact [email protected] or 01665 511996.