Mayes Lane, Sandon, Chelmsford, CM2

For sale by informal tender - Offers in excess of £550,000

Located in the sought after village of Sandon, a 0.53 acre plot with conditional planning permission granted on 26th February 2026 (Planning application reference - 25/01570/FUL).

This is an opportunity for developers/buyers seeking a self-build opportunity that reflects their own requirements and specification. The planning granted is for the conversion of an existing detached commercial building which is located to the rear of the site into a one or two bedroom bungalow approximately 43 sq m gross internal floor area with construction of a new bike store/general storage.

We are informed by the sellers that mains water, drainage, electricity and broadband are available on the site.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

The Independent Planning Consultancy that submitted the current application has suggested that there may be potential development options that could be explored in future (subject to usual consents being sought and approved).

PLEASE NOTE - The consultants opinions are only indicative in nature and not determinative of any future planning application that could be submitted which seeks to obtain the relevant planning permission for one or more of these options (as they would be judged against the merits of the final scheme presented, all relevant planning considerations, and the planning policy position at the time of submission).

The potential development options that they feel could be explored include:

* Enlarging the residential dwelling (once constructed) - permitted development rights have been removed from the property by condition attached to the recent permission, but once constructed any future residential occupier would be eligible to apply for householder planning permission to construct a single storey side or rear extension (subject to design considerations, space requirements and any potential impact on the root protection areas of nearby trees). It is possible that the Council could take issue with a single storey front extension as this could appear as a discordant addition to the converted building.

* Constructing a replacement dwelling - once the building has been converted and in use as a residential property, it would become eligible to be considered under Policy DM7 for a full planning application to construct a replacement residential dwelling (that is larger than the converted building). This is providing it meets a range of criteria, including the new building not being materially larger than the one it replaces.

* Constructing an additional residential dwelling on the site (whilst retaining the converted building as a single residential dwelling) - as a matter of formality, the recently granted permission would first need to be implemented (meaning that a material start as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act has been made to convert the building into a single residential dwelling, and any relevant pre-commencement conditions having been discharged), and we would need to obtain a lawful development certificate confirming that the permission has been lawfully implemented. Once this certificate has been obtained, the site will lawfully be considered previously developed land, and will become eligible for a full planning application which seeks to construct a single residential dwelling whilst retaining the converted dwelling (under Policy DM8, which governs application which seek to re-develop previously developed land).

A variety of planning considerations would need to be considered here, including the principle of development under Policy DM8 (e.g. the visual impact of the development compared to the existing baseline, the location of the site being suitable to the type of development proposed etc), design considerations (including whether constructing a new residential dwelling would fit in with the pattern of development in the surrounding area), ensuring a suitable vehicular access that can cater for two-way vehicular movements, biodiversity net gain considerations, as well as other matters.

LOCATION

Sandon is a sought after village located on the South Eastern side of Chelmsford between Great Baddow and Danbury. It features a popular local pub at its centre and is within easy reach of local amenities, Chelmsford Park & Ride Station and A12 and A130 trunk roads. Schooling is within easy reach and includes Baddow Hall Infant and Junior School, as well as the Sandon Secondary School. Elm Green Preparatory School and Heathcote Preparatory School and Nursery are also within easy reach in the nearby village of Danbury. Chelmsford City centre is located less than 5 miles from the property and its mainline station provides services to London Liverpool Street with average journey times of around 30 minutes.