What Is a Site Feasibility Study?

Purpose of a Feasibility Study

A site feasibility study is an early-stage assessment that evaluates whether a piece of land is suitable for development. It identifies potential constraints, opportunities, and provides an initial indication of development capacity. For landowners and developers in East Riding of Yorkshire, this is often the first step in understanding a site's potential.

The study helps answer fundamental questions: Can this site be developed? What type and scale of development might be possible? What are the main risks and constraints? How long might the process take? These answers inform decisions about whether to proceed and how to structure a project.

What a Feasibility Study Includes

A typical feasibility study reviews planning policy context, site constraints, access possibilities, utilities availability, and initial capacity testing. It may include desktop research, site visits, and preliminary discussions with planning officers or consultants.

For sites in Bridlington and surrounding areas, the study will consider: Local Plan allocations, flood risk zones, ecology designations, highway access, services infrastructure, and neighbouring properties. Each of these factors can significantly impact development potential.

Planning Policy Review

The study examines relevant planning policies from the East Riding of Yorkshire Local Plan and national guidance. This helps understand whether the site is allocated for development, falls within settlement limits, or would require exceptional circumstances to justify development.

Previous planning decisions for nearby sites provide useful context. The study may review these to understand how policies are applied in practice and identify patterns in officer and member decision-making.

Site Constraints Assessment

Physical constraints such as topography, flood risk, ecology, and access are assessed. These can limit development capacity or require costly mitigation. Early identification helps avoid surprises later and informs realistic project programming.

For coastal locations like Bridlington, additional considerations include: coastal erosion risk, salt spray exposure, and views from the sea. These factors influence design and may require specialist input.

Initial Capacity Testing

The study typically includes rough layout testing to estimate how many units might fit on the site. This considers: minimum garden sizes, parking requirements, open space provision, and relationship to neighbouring properties. The capacity estimate is preliminary and subject to detailed design work.

This initial testing helps landowners understand potential value and developers assess project viability. It also informs discussions about partnership structures or land acquisition terms.

High-Level Cost and Value Checks

Some feasibility studies include initial cost estimates and value assessments. These help determine whether a scheme is financially viable before committing to detailed design and planning work. Costs might include: site acquisition, planning fees, professional fees, infrastructure, and construction.

Value estimates consider: local market conditions, comparable sales, and potential sales prices. For schemes in Bridlington, understanding the local housing market is important for realistic projections.

When to Commission a Feasibility Study

Feasibility studies are typically commissioned early in the process, often before land acquisition or detailed design work. They help inform decisions about whether to proceed and how to structure a project. For landowners, they provide an independent assessment of development potential.

As a developer working in Bridlington and East Riding of Yorkshire, we often carry out feasibility reviews as part of initial site assessments. This helps us provide realistic advice to landowners and structure projects appropriately.