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Aerial view of an English village edge with a road running beside open rapeseed and green fields

Property Developers in Essex

We buy, option and partner on land and buildings with owners and investors.

Our track record

100% of projects delivered ahead
of programme and on budget

Our Development Director's record

  • £225M+of land acquired, Development Director's record
  • 10,000+homes through planning, Development Director's record
  • £3M–£150MGDV, the size of scheme we take on
  • £10Mpublic and employers' liability cover

Land in Essex is worth what the right scheme makes it

Craftex are property developers working with landowners and investors in Essex: we buy land, sign option and promotion agreements and form joint ventures on sites that support £3M to £150M of development value. Before he joined us, our Development Director, Rob Barton, led the winning bid for Crab Hill in Wantage, Oxfordshire. Outline consent there now allows up to 1,500 homes on 227 acres.

A field outside Braintree or a yard in Thurrock has two values. One is what it earns today. The other is what a consented scheme on it would support. The gap between them is where landowners win or lose.

Ask any bidder how they priced that gap. With us you can see it: our own construction team costs the scheme, and the figures behind our number are shared with you.

Home buyers looking for a new house are in the wrong place: we neither build for sale to the public nor sell plots. Our clients are Essex owners of farmland, yards and empty buildings, and investors who back schemes. Our base is in London, which borders the county.

Tell us where the land is. The same working day, a director gives you a free first view.

Aerial view of housing, gardens and open land at the edge of a city

Trusted by leading businesses

  • Trainline
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  • YouTube
  • Medusa
  • Fuse
  • Drakes
  • PTOS
  • Close Connections
  • Marnie
  • Vortex Post
  • Minds Ahead
  • Missy
  • Fora
  • Gama Healthcare
  • Equinix
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  • B-Engineering

How can you work with us on land in Essex?

Six ways in, one team behind all of them. Choose by how much risk, and how much waiting, suits you. Unsure which fits? The free appraisal is the place to begin.

Aerial view of a housing estate bordering green fields on the edge of an English town

Free site appraisal

Title, planning record and your council's plan stage read by a director, with a view on what could be built.

Aerial of a golden crop field bordering a new housing estate at the edge of a UK town

Outright sale

We buy at a price built on a costed scheme, completing on a date that suits you.

GPS survey pole and tripod set up on grassland with a city skyline in the distance

Option agreement

Our money funds the consent; we purchase once it is granted, on a valuation formula agreed at the start.

Three grey sketch markers resting on a finely drawn city masterplan in black line

Promotion agreement

We steer the land through the Local Plan or an application, then it is sold with consent to the best bidder.

Two people in hard hats reviewing a set of drawings by an office window

Joint venture

Put the land in, keep a share of the scheme, and let our team bring the delivery and capital.

Newly built red brick semi-detached houses with porches and fresh landscaping under a blue sky

Planning and build by our team

Design, consent and construction by one in-house team, so what gets approved is something we can build.

Planning for development in Essex: what councils look for

Each Essex council is at a different stage of its plan. That stage often decides whether a site is worth promoting now or later.

Where the Local Plans stand

Chelmsford adopted its current plan in May 2020 and submitted a review, running to 2041, for examination on 5 June 2026. Harlow's plan was adopted in December 2020. Colchester's adopted plan runs to 2033, and a new one is being prepared. For Basildon, Uttlesford and the other districts, we confirm the position at appraisal.

Green Belt and grey belt

Much of south and west Essex sits in the Metropolitan Green Belt around London. National policy now treats some of it as grey belt land: land that does not strongly serve certain Green Belt purposes. A scheme there still has to pass further tests, including affordable housing rules for major housing.

Calls for sites

Councils ask owners to put land forward for future plans. Chelmsford says its land availability assessment is open all year round, though inclusion does not mean allocation or permission. Our guide to the call for sites explains how a submission is judged.

Where the new homes must go

Braintree's Local Plan 2043 must meet a government target of 19,261 homes; its final-draft consultation runs to 6 November 2026. Thurrock's final-draft consultation, the last stage before examination, runs to 10 November 2026 after an extension. Plans at this stage decide which sites are allocated.

Send us the address and we will tell you where your site stands in its council's plan.

How it works

How does a land deal with us work?

01

First look, free

Send the address. A director reviews the title, planning history and your council's plan stage, then gives you a first view.

02

The four routes compared

Sale, option, promotion and joint venture set side by side for your site. You see the money, the timing and who holds the planning risk.

03

Heads of terms

The price floor, a cap on deductible costs, planning dates and a long-stop are settled first. Only then does your solicitor draft.

04

We carry the planning

On an option or promotion, we fund the design, the reports and the application, or the Local Plan representations.

05

Completion or construction

The consented land is bought or sold, or our own team builds the scheme with your share secured.

The first look costs nothing and binds you to nothing. Expect our reply the same working day.

Cover of the free Landowner's Guide: Sell, Option, Promote or Partner

The Landowner's Guide: Sell, Option, Promote or Partner

How developers arrive at a land price, and how each of the four routes splits risk and reward. The clauses worth fighting for, and the red flags hidden in a generous-looking bid. Read it before any Essex buyer asks you for exclusivity. It is free to download.

Our promises

Six promises, written into your contract

Want these terms on your own site? Ask for them in your free first look.

  1. Honest advice on the route

    When a straight sale or a promoter would do better for you than a deal with us, you hear that first.

    all four routes compared on your site in writing.

  2. A price you can trace

    Our figure comes from a cost plan built home by home by our own construction team.

    The appraisal behind the offer is shared with you.

  3. We will talk you out of the larger scheme

    If a smaller consent leaves you better off, that is the one we recommend.

  4. Your protections fixed early

    Floor price, capped deductions, application dates and a long-stop go into heads of terms before drafting starts.

  5. A negotiator who used to sit across the table

    Before Craftex, Rob Barton held managing director and land director roles at housebuilders.

    £225M+ of land acquired in his previous roles.

  6. The builders who priced it, build it

    In a joint venture, the people who set the programme and the sum run the site.

    100% of Craftex projects finished on budget and ahead of programme.

Example land offer from another buyer, items listed, with the note: send it to us, we will beat it

Already have a quote? Send it to us. We'll beat it.

Already have an offer for your land? Send it to us. Attach the bid, option or promotion terms and the address. A director goes through them and phones you back the same working day, free.

Compare your offers

Where do land deals in Essex go wrong?

Weighing a bid against these risks? Send it over and a director will mark where it falls short.

AreaThe usual riskWith Craftex
Accountabilitythree advisers, three agendas, and no single person on the hook if the deal fails.a named director carries your site from first look through consent, and through construction in a partnership.
Price drifta bold opening bid that is chipped away after the ground investigation.we price from a costed layout at the outset, so surveys rarely move our number.
Delayyears of control over your land with no promise to submit anything.submission and appeal deadlines plus a long-stop sit in the contract; miss them and control ends.
Disturbancetenants served notice or crops halted well before a decision.farming, letting or trading carries on until the trigger we agreed.
Hidden costsSection 106, affordable housing and CIL bills appear late and eat into the land price.each one is costed against the layout before submission.
A no from the councilthe owner absorbs the fees of a refused scheme.where we hold an option or promotion, the fees are ours, and every survey and drawing stays with you.

Sale, option, promotion or joint venture: which suits your land?

The route sets who pays for consent, when money reaches you and how much say you keep.

RoutePlanning paid byMoney reaches youControlLength
Outright saleNobody, or you if you apply before sellingOn the completion dateYours until the sale completesShortest, with a clean title
Option agreementCraftexA fee at signature; the rest when we buy after consentWe lead planning; the valuation formula and floor are yours to approveSeveral years, ended by a long-stop
Promotion agreementCraftexFrom the proceeds once consented land is soldJoint; the buyer needs your approvalThe planning period plus a sale
Joint ventureCraftex, or split by agreementLand credited on day one; profit as the homes are sold or letJoint; big decisions are never made without youLongest: consent, construction, then sales

We publish no shares, fees or valuation terms; each site is negotiated on its own. Tell us which route appeals, and a director will talk it through for your land. Take your own legal, tax and financial advice before signing.

Land and development case studies

None of these is in Essex. They are schemes Rob Barton worked on in earlier roles, before Craftex. Together they show a consent deciding what a piece of land is worth. Want to know what consent could do for your field or yard? Ask for a free first look.

Our team

  • in

Property development in Essex: your questions

Do you buy land in Essex?

Yes. We buy Essex land outright, take options, promote sites through planning and enter joint ventures. The site needs to support a scheme worth £3M to £150M once built. Send the address and we will say which route fits.

My land is in the Green Belt. Can it still be developed?

Sometimes. Some Green Belt land can qualify as grey belt, where development is no longer automatically inappropriate if national tests are met. Major housing there must also meet higher affordable housing requirements. Read our explainer on grey belt land, then send us the address for a site-specific view.

Does an option pay more than selling now?

It can, because you share in the value planning adds instead of selling before it. You wait longer, though, and you get the balance only if consent is granted. A sale pays sooner and is certain. We set out both for your site in writing.

Do you build in Essex, or only in London?

Schemes we partner on, in Essex or elsewhere, are built by our own construction team. The directors who priced the job run it. London is our home market and our base, and Essex sits right on its eastern edge.

How big does a site need to be for you?

It must support £3M to £150M of gross development value. That can be one commercial plot or a field of many acres. Very large strategic land waiting on a future plan can be better served by a specialist promoter. If so, we say it plainly.

What sort of sites do Essex property developers look for?

Land a council could plausibly allocate or approve for homes. Think edge-of-town fields near a station, brownfield yards, redundant farm buildings and backland. Access, flood risk, Green Belt status and the Local Plan timetable count most. Our free appraisal covers all four.

Can I sell land with planning permission in Essex?

Yes, and a consent widens the pool of buyers. We buy consented Essex sites in our range, or partner on them if you would rather keep a stake. Opportunities we list are on our development opportunities page. Send the decision notice and drawings for a reply the same working day.

How much is my land worth?

Whatever the strongest consentable scheme leaves once a developer has paid for the build, the council's requirements and its own margin. So two bidders can value one field very differently. Our land value calculator gives a first indication; the free appraisal prices your actual site.

I am an investor. Can I fund a scheme in Essex with you?

Yes, as a joint venture partner on a specific scheme. Terms are agreed per scheme and never published, and we give no financial advice. See joint venture property development and, for how schemes are funded, property development finance.

How fast will I hear back about my land?

Our first view comes the same working day. The full appraisal follows once we hold the title, any planning history and the council's plan position. It is free and commits you to nothing. Start by sending the address.

What our clients say

See all reviews on Google
  • Hired Craftex for our conversion project. We had to convert a 600m2 office into 8 apartments. Guys did an excellent job in terms of program efficiency and quality of the finishes which gave us a big upside to exit the project 2 months faster than other competitors’ timelines.

    Misha Levit

  • Great experience from start to finish. Communication was clear, the workmanship was excellent, and the whole project was managed professionally.

    Rhea Langford

  • I’d like to thank the team at Сraftex for the work they did on our office.
    It was really important for us to get the work done quickly, but without compromising on quality, as we regularly have clients and guests visiting and needed to move into the new office within a month.
    We spent around two weeks discussing and agreeing all the details before the work started. What I really appreciated was that everything we agreed beforehand was actually followed through during the job. The work was also completed on time.
    Thanks to the whole Сraftex team for a great job. I’d definitely use them again if we need any work done in the future.

    IURII PYLYPETS

  • We recently worked with Craftex and honestly couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, the team was professional, reliable, and highly skilled. The quality of workmanship exceeded our expectations, and everything was completed on time and to a very high standard.
    Communication throughout the project was excellent, and they always went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. It’s rare to find a construction company that combines professionalism, attention to detail, and great customer service so well.
    Without a doubt, Craftex is one of the best construction companies we have ever worked with. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality and trustworthy builders.

    Adam Miah

  • Craftex has completed a range of both small and large-scale projects on our commercial property with exceptional precision and quality. Dmitriy consistently delivers courteous, prompt service and has shown great flexibility in accommodating last-minute changes to plans and timelines. I highly recommend Craftex for their professionalism and outstanding workmanship.

    Pascal Hunt

  • Great company to work with as always. Super flexible at dealing with evolving requirements and fast deployment and execution.

    Akshay Khanna

  • Hired Craftex to do the full design and fit out of my gym in Chelsea. Super efficient and fast team. They gave the best price and a proper fast track program. We managed to open in less than 6 weeks with no headaches or surprises during construction. Quality was great, we had zero snags on completion. I’ve worked with a few companies before but these guys really impressed me from project management to how they treat the client. Top GGs.

    Александр Хоменко

  • I worked perfectly with Sviat and Joe, with their architect they came up with a very smart design for our office to fit more desks and optimise the space to its maximum capacity. They also did excellent value engineering on the MEP design proposed by others, allowing us to save around £50K. The quality and speed were outstanding we finished two weeks ahead of schedule. Highly recommend these guys.

    John Smith

  • Happy with the end result. Tight timeline but they pulled it off. The team worked late shifts and even weekends to help us open the doors on schedule. Site was always left tidy at the end of the day and no surprise charges either. Good communication throughout. Would definitely use Craftex again.

    Pawel Kamionka

  • Highly recommended!
    Craftex are the kind of fit-out contractors in London you can truly trust. From the very first meeting, they understood our vision and gave practical ideas to make the most of our space. They turned our old storage area into a clean, efficient, and well-organized warehouse. The team was professional, easy to work with, and clearly took pride in their work.

    Monika Kamionka

  • We brought in Craftex to refurb our London office and honestly, they made the whole thing way easier than we expected. They listened, suggested ideas we wouldn’t have thought of, and explained everything clearly. Not the cheapest quote we got, but the end result shows why, the place looks modern, clean, and our team actually enjoys being here now. Communication was spot-on too. No chasing and confusion, deadlines were hit. If you want people who genuinely care and don’t treat your project like “another job,” I’d recommend them.

    A Google User

  • Sviat and his team at Craftex were brilliant to work with on our office redesign. From the first meeting, they took the time to understand how we actually use the space rather than just pitching generic solutions. They came back with clever, practical ideas to maximise use of the space and get more employees and desks inside . Every step was handled professionally, and the process felt surprisingly smooth for a project of this size. They finished one week ahead of schedule, and the transformation is clear — our office feels brighter, more functional, and much more welcoming. I’d happily recommend Craftex to anyone who wants a reliable design team that also makes the journey enjoyable.

    Cucu Iulian

  • We recently worked with Sviat and the Craftex team on a complete warehouse refurbishment, and the results have been outstanding. From the very beginning, their team was professional, organized, and attentive to every detail. The project was completed on time and within budget, without disrupting our day-to-day operations.

    Simone Racaku

  • My experience with Craftex was excellent from beginning to end. They took the time to really listen to what I wanted and then offered practical suggestions that made the design even better. I always felt like they cared about creating a space that worked for me, not just one that looked nice on paper. The end result is an office that feels stylish, welcoming, and very functional for day-to-day work. The process itself was straightforward, well-managed, and never stressful. I’d definitely recommend Craftex if you’re looking for office design and build services in London — they made the whole journey a positive one.

    Ion Bounegru

  • I’m really pleased with my experience working with Craftex. As a commercial construction firm, they handled everything from start to finish without any unnecessary stress on my side. What impressed me was how they suggested practical ideas that improved the design while also keeping things realistic. The communication was always clear, so I never felt out of the loop. The project ran smoothly, deadlines were met, and the end result is exactly what I was hoping for — a space that feels both functional and modern. It’s not easy finding contractors who are this reliable, but Craftex definitely proved they can be trusted.

    Taron Papoyan

  • I had an amazing experience working with Sviat and the Craftex team on our office fit-out in London. They were always professional, responsive, and quick to offer the best advice whenever decisions needed to be made. I really appreciated how they balanced style with practicality — the office doesn’t just look fantastic, it works perfectly for our team. Everything was done with care and attention to detail, and the project never felt overwhelming because they managed it so well. Communication was clear from start to finish, and I always felt involved in the process. I would happily recommend Craftex to anyone looking for a trustworthy contractor.

    Artur Dvorak

  • Craftex carried out a warehouse fit-out for us, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The space has been completely transformed into a highly organized and efficient environment that makes our daily operations much smoother.
    The team was professional but also very approachable — I always felt comfortable asking questions or giving feedback. They came up with smart, practical solutions that worked perfectly for our setup, and everything was explained clearly along the way.
    The best part was how they stuck to the agreed timeline, finishing on schedule without cutting corners. It’s rare to get both quality and reliability, but Craftex delivered both.

    Roma Shchukin

  • We’re extremely happy with Sviat and the Craftex team’s work. They suggested clever ideas, managed the project efficiently, and delivered a functional, modern space. The team was easy to communicate with and very professional throughout the process!

    Polina Lysenko

  • I can honestly say our office has been completely transformed thanks to Craftex. From the very first meeting, the team was approachable, professional, and full of creative ideas that really made sense for our business. They didn’t just focus on how the space would look but also how it would work for the team day-to-day. The new layout is efficient, modern, and welcoming, and you can tell they really thought about the details. The whole process was smooth and surprisingly stress-free. They kept me updated at every stage, which gave me confidence. I’m really happy with the results and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

    Mykyta Khadzhynov

  • The results from Craftex’s commercial refurbishment in London are fantastic. The team was friendly, clear in communication, and made sure the project stayed on track. The workspace now feels efficient, welcoming, and modern. Definitely a team you can trust!

    Alaa Betar

  • We hired Craftex for a commercial ground floor fit-out with 2 flats above. There were some minor co-ordination hiccups with third-party suppliers but the team kept it moving. Finish quality was strong. Kitchens and doors look great. I have already asked them for a quote on the next project.

    Ben Edell

  • These guys actually deliver. They handled our first industrial to residential conversion near Tower Bridge, turned an old warehouse into 4 modern flats. They stuck to the plan, kept the site clean and the timing was on point. No hidden extras, no drama, just a professional construction company in London that gets the job done.

    Богдан Главацкий

  • We recently hired Craftex for a commercial office fit-out project in Central London, and overall, we’re really happy with the result. There was a delay on our side with a custom glass partition supplier, but the Craftex team managed the construction schedule very professionally and kept everything on track. Their guys worked clean, respected our workspace and IT setup, and kept the site tidy throughout. If you're looking for a reliable office refurbishment company in London, I’d definitely recommend Craftex. Would use them again without hesitation.

    Ardian Beleshi

  • This was a full high-end renovation of my Victorian rental apartment in Westminster, just off Sloane Square and Belgravia. The scope included full fit-out: electrics, plumbing, a new bespoke kitchen, and a luxury bathroom refurbishment. Craftex took care of everything and made the process easy. They weren’t the cheapest, but you can tell they really know what they’re doing when it comes to prime London property renovations.
    The team was professional, organised, and genuinely seemed to care about getting everything right. I was especially impressed with the quality of the finish – the attention to detail really shows in every corner.
    I’m very happy with the results and would definitely recommend Craftex to anyone looking for reliable, high-quality renovation work in Central London.

    Наталия Цимбалюк

  • I was stressed about timing since we had bookings lined up, but they smashed it. Even worked Saturday to finish the floor. My clients love the look — the beauty salon fit-out turned out exactly how I wanted. Couldn’t have pulled it off without their help. Genuinely appreciate the way they communicated throughout the refurbishment. If you need reliable help with beauty salon design or fit-out, especially in a place like Chelsea — these are the guys.

    Rami Jusupova

  • We used Craftex for a shop-to-flat conversion in Chelsea — turning an old retail space into two rental units. Access wasn’t the easiest, but the guys handled it well, no drama. Quote was clear, no hidden extras, and they actually stuck to it, which is rare. Finish came out solid, exactly what we needed for rentals. Joe (PM) kept things ticking and communication was always on point. All in all, smooth job — would use them again for sure.👍

    Apartify Estates

  • Fuse Energy hired Craftex on the fit-out and installation of our engineering and research centre, which included electrical, heating, lighting, plumbing, and ventilation upgrades. They delivered everything to a high standard and were proactive throughout — even working weekends to help speed up the programme, despite not being contracted to. They managed last-minute changes very well, communication was clear and consistent, and the team was professional from start to finish. We’d happily recommend Craftex to anyone needing a reliable construction partner.

    Hainro Eybers

  • Holistic therapy space fit-out
    Super impressed. I had a very specific vision for the studio. calm tones, soft lighting, hidden storage etc. the craftex team just got it. build was done quicker than I expected and the guys were polite, tidy and actually listened. we had 2 snags on day one but they fixed it before the week was out. worth it for the peace of mind.

    Dariia Shvyryda

  • Made a full refurbishment and redesign of our Central London office. Fantastic work, quality service and reliable people. Can recommend it to everybody

    Nikita Nigai

  • Amazing experience with these guys. I trusted them my apartment in London and Business. They are always accurate, very professional, responsive and neat. They would always advice me right things for my best interest. I had luxury experience with them and I would definitely recommend Craftex to everyone.

    Motush Motushev

  • Could not be HAPPIER with Sviat and the Craftex team, they certainly showed me that they’re the number one office design company in London that we’ve had the pleasure of working with. They gave us a unique design just like we wanted, and we loved the first initial draft of the concept. Also have to give them props for Construction, I gave them a tight timeline as we needed to move our team in ASAP, so they pulled double shifts and I didn’t see a drop in quality. Will be to talking to the team when we move up to our next bigger office. Highly recommended A+++

    Mikhail Burdoev

  • Very professional company. Craftex did brilliant minimalistic design and completely refurbished my apartment to the highest quality.

    Vlad

  • I and my husband are very satisfied with Craftex's service and customer support. We bought a house in Hampstead and wanted to redesign and renovate it. On our initial free consultation with Sviat, we found out that we actually can do loft conversion and rear extension and add value to the property straight away.
    We worked with the Craftex design team to bring our vision to life and deliver planning approvals. At that time guys started stripping out to save time on the construction programme as we wanted to move in ASAP.
    We worked with very experienced project director Konstantin who was responsible for all aspects of project delivery from design to construction with a very good eye on details and customer care.
    We saved a lot of money by having professional advice from the start. Project management and quality at Craftex are at the highest level. Many thanks to Craftex Team.

    Lia Lavryk

  • ISO 9001
  • ISO 14001
  • ISO 45001
  • CHAS
  • Constructionline Gold
  • SafeContractor
  • TrustMark
  • FMB
  • NICEIC
  • NAPIT
  • MCS
  • CSCS
  • Considerate Constructors
  • RICS, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
  • RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects
  • ARB, Architects Registration Board
  • Public & Employers' Liability £10M
  • Professional Indemnity £10M
  • ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified

Own land in Essex? Send us the address.

Tell us what you own and any offer on the table. A director reads the planning position and calls you the same working day.

Unit 5, 160 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR

info@craftex.co.uk

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