Validation Checklist - List 1

3t Marketing Assessment (Amenity and Layout)

Required for relevant non policy compliant proposals (e.g. change of use of employment land).

This will need to show that real efforts have been made, without success, to continue the present use or to find compatible alternative uses for the site. The marketing should be carried out by a suitable firm of chartered surveyors or estate agents who have a good knowledge of both property and the local, national, or niche market, as appropriate.

Marketing should then be properly and extensively undertaken, including placing advertisements in all relevant journals, both locally, and/or, if appropriate nationally or via the internet. Professional advice from the selling agent is essential. All enquiries and inspections should be recorded, and a proper audit trail kept, so that it can be demonstrated that every reasonable effort has been made to find a purchaser for the property.

Assuming normal market conditions, the minimum period of active marketing would be 12 months. The emphasis is on active marketing rather than merely placing the property’s details on a website after an initial advertising campaign.

Policy Driver and where to get more advice: Welwyn Hatfield District Plan 2005 – non policy compliant proposals. Policies SP8 and SADM10 of the Draft Local Plan Proposed Submission, August 2016.