Anyone know where to start with regard to developing land?

[Feelingsensitive]

DH and I own a flat in London. The only other remaing flat in the building has come up for sale (for the first time in 10 years). The two flats are in a detached building on a fairly big plot of land - both flats have a large garden. We are in the very early stages of looking into buying the neighbours flat, and subsequently the freehold, with a view to getting planning permssion for the site. We would then either sell the site on with planning permission or (possibly) sell the flats (without smaller gardens at present) and use the money to self build a house in what is currently the back garden. We need advice on what could be bulit on that plot and what we coudl get out of it before we commit. This is a once in a life time opportunity for us. WHere do we start?

YES IF ITS IN ZIMABABWE

Ignore above post. That was DH.

What on earth was he replying to?

A good starting point would be a consultation with a local architect who knows the planning department in the area.

Check the RIBA website for local architects and then shop around for prices for draft schemes. You may find there are planning consultants in your area who advertise for this sort of work but they'll usually end up employing an architect themselves anyway if they themselves aren't part of an achitects practise.

A reasonable architect will be able to tell you what is possible and what would be looked upon favourably by the planners. He'll also be able to give you a guide to prices for his work and the building work.

I'd imagine that they'll be development companies willing to take it off your hands at any stage of the above process and you might find that economically that's your best option as you won't have to raise the finance for any of the planning or construction.

I'd imagine that there'll be development companies...

I'm sure there's more errors but it's late and my foot hurts.

CaptainNancy- He was drunk! I was up late full of enthusiasm about the development as we only found out today that the flat below will sell to us. Dh sneaked on here whilst I went off to find something. He looked very pleased with himself.

Amandaoh - Thanks so much. I had a feeling an architect was the way to go but your information about RIBA has been invaluable. I will go and look now.