Small parcels of land such as garden extensions, amenity land, woodland and surplus paddocks can sometimes go overlooked. Unlike larger development sites, these types of sites are often modest in size and value, but they come with their own unique challenges. In terms of Valuations of such land, there is rarely a straightforward “price per acre”, and factors such as location, access, neighbouring ownership and potential use can all have a significant impact on value.
At Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors, we regularly carry out RICS Red Book valuations in this specialist area. Below are some recent examples which illustrate the variety of instructions we deal with.
Woodland and Marginal Land Valuations
- Rossendale area (Bacup / Tunstead locality)
A Valuation of a small parcel of woodland located on a steeply sloping site, with limited accessibility and restricted practical use. The land included a minor area of hardstanding but was otherwise heavily wooded.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book market value assessment of stand‑alone woodland land.
Amenity Land and Adjoining Parcels Valuations
- Preston area (Whittingham locality)
A valuation of a parcel of amenity land situated to the rear of an established residential property. The land had been occupied and maintained separately from the registered title for an extended period.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book Valuation prepared in support of an adverse possession application and Land Registry registration.
- Ribble Valley area (Billington / Whalley Old Road locality)
A small area of amenity land forming part of a wider residential setting and assessed independently from the dwelling.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book market value Valuation for private client purposes.
Surplus, Paddock and Edge‑of‑Settlement Land Valuations
- Ribble Valley (Lower Carr Farm locality)
A discrete parcel of agricultural / paddock land separated from the main farm holding and considered surplus to operational requirements.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book Valuation for market value and potential disposal.
- Blackburn rural fringe (Blackleach Lane locality)
A small parcel of edge‑of‑settlement land with limited development prospects and niche market appeal.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book market value assessment.
Land with Development or Ancillary Potential Valuations
- Blackburn area (Whalley Road locality)
A tiered parcel of land extending to approximately half an acre, associated with adjoining residential properties. The site had planning history, physical constraints and required careful assessment of planning risk and alternative use value.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book Valuation for disposal and Land Registry registration purposes.
- East Lancashire urban area (Blackburn Road locality)
A small parcel of land ancillary to residential use, valued separately from the main dwelling.
Purpose of Valuation:
RICS Red Book market value Valuation for disposal purposes.
Why these Valuations matter
Although the land concerned may be small, valuing it is rarely straightforward. There may be limited comparable evidence, and value can vary significantly.
That’s why a clear, well-explained and RICS-compliant Valuation Report is essential, whether for a sale, a legal matter, or simply to understand what the land is worth.
Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors specialise in this type of work, providing practical advice tailored to each individual site.
Contact Lea Hough for advice
If you’re buying, selling, or dealing with a legal matter involving amenity land, garden land or woodland, our RICS Registered Valuers be happy to help. Get in touch with our team for an initial discussion.
Further information can be found on our Valuations of Small Parcels of Land page.
