Speculating on land

[Bagpuss]

I suppose it is easier for you to try and make fun of me here than it is to answer the perfectly reasonable question I pm'd you.

No I can't marry you

[Moscow Mule]

It's been done (being done) lots already. Google 'Landbanking'

Interesting google,

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/..._banking.shtml

[Bagpuss]

IIRC there was one operating around Essex/Suffolk/Cambs border selling agricultural land at exhorbant prices. Land with bob hope of ever getting planning permission.

[Fishface]

I understand its to do with Inheritance Tax.

People are buying land because there is no Inheritance Tax on 'land'.

Thus the price of 'land' has doubled recently.

Fuedal Law raises its ugly head once again.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

From what I've seen of the planning system, you need to factor in the cost of a planning consultant who knows how to play political parties off against each other and who to bribe.

Another good ploy is to buy land adjacent to some owned by the council, then apply for permission to develop the lot - the pound signs start to flash before their eyes (all that money we could use to prosecute people who overfill their wheelie bins!) and you're away.

Unfortunately, you're in the queue behind multinationals and supermarkets.

[tim123]

Another good ploy is to buy land adjacent to some owned by the council, then apply for permission to develop the lot - the pound signs start to flash before their eyes
.

I don't see how you could think that this has an effect.

The people making the decisions are the elected representatives. They have no chance of personally benefitting because the LA makes a profit on a bit of land that it owns, and every chance of being elected out of office if the building that they agree to is unpopular with masses.

tim

[threaded]

I have (another) daft idea.

I buy land that has no planning permission for residential property.

I apply agressively for planning permission (outline).

If agreed I sell at a profit (large).

If not I resell the land on at cost and try again.

e.g.

http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/la...le.asp?id=6796
http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/la...le.asp?id=6167


Genius or cretin?

Why bother with all that fuss? The planning system is corrupt to the core and you'll literally risk not only your money, but your life... So why not talk to someone like Persimmon, and get land they've already got permission for, but aren't going to build on for the foreseeable future?

[sasguru]

I suppose it is easier for you to try and make fun of me here than it is to answer the perfectly reasonable question I pm'd you.

Bunny boiler stalker alert

[ASB]

I don't see how you could think that this has an effect.

The people making the decisions are the elected representatives. They have no chance of personally benefitting because the LA makes a profit on a bit of land that it owns, and every chance of being elected out of office if the building that they agree to is unpopular with masses.

tim

Yes, but the officers also have delegated powers don't they. The committee will usually pay any going though on delegated little if any attention. It is only where officers have refused that it will normally be heard by the committee.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I don't see how you could think that this has an effect.

The people making the decisions are the elected representatives. They have no chance of personally benefitting because the LA makes a profit on a bit of land that it owns, and every chance of being elected out of office if the building that they agree to is unpopular with masses.

tim

Except the elected representatives are ignorant donkeys with appropriate colour rosettes who rely on the council officers to make recommendations. They are also always scared that anyone they turn down may appeal which costs the council a lot of money. On the whole, it is easier for the council to say yes.

As for idea that they don't have any opportunity for personal gain - officially that is true of course, in practise things are rather different.

As for the laughable idea that any local councillors might be deposed at a future poll due to unpopular planning decisions, that would presuppose anyone cares, and on the evidence of turnout figures, they clearly do not.

My view of the planning system is based on considerable personal experience and having been married to woman who worked as an officer of a LA for many years.