Find the right land.
Faster.
With better data.
A specialist planning data and GIS consultancy based in Bath — helping planners, housebuilders and landowners identify and appraise development sites, supporting planning consultants with spatial analysis, and delivering GIS mapping for a multitude of use-cases.
Built on
data, not instinct
The best land decisions are made with better information — and better information comes from rigorous spatial analysis applied by someone who understands what it means on the ground.
Geospatial Sift is an independent GIS and land acquisition consultancy working on an ad hoc and retained basis with housebuilders, planning consultants and local authorities across the South West. Every instruction is handled personally, with the analytical rigour of a specialist platform and the responsiveness of an individual consultant.
With five years of GIS experience and a background in land acquisition for residential developers, the practice bridges two disciplines that are rarely found in the same person — spatial data analysis and the practical knowledge of how development land is identified, assessed and acquired.
All work is carried out in strict confidence. No site data, land opportunities or client information is ever shared with any third party — a commitment that is fundamental to the way the practice operates.
From brief to
delivered intelligence
Every instruction begins with understanding what you need to know and why. The analytical framework is then built around your specific criteria — whether that is a single site appraisal or a multi-LPA strategic search.
Understanding your requirements, search criteria, target LPAs and intended use of the outputs. Fixed-price or hourly scope agreed before any work commences.
InstructionGIS model built or adapted to your criteria — drawing on 49 constraint layers, local plan data, planning applications, SHLAA, 5-year HLS, HDT and grey belt policy.
GIS BuildSites or outputs scored, ranked and filtered against your parameters. Anomalies reviewed manually. Shortlist prepared with supporting spatial evidence for each entry.
AnalysisOutputs delivered in your preferred format — mapped PDF report, GIS data files, or briefing note. Follow-on support and ongoing retained instructions available.
DeliveryThree clients.
One specialism.
Find land before
the market does
Strategic land search and site appraisal services built for development teams who need systematic spatial intelligence rather than reactive market search. All outputs are strictly confidential and never shared with any other party.
- 40–50 constraint model configured to your acquisition criteria
- Multi-LPA coverage across the South West
- 5-year HLS, HDT, grey belt and local plan policy analysis
- Site shortlists scored and ranked by composite suitability
- Retained monthly instruction available for ongoing pipeline support
- All site data held in strict confidence — never disclosed to third parties
GIS expertise
on demand
Ad hoc and retained GIS support for planning consultancies, neighbourhood plan groups and local planning authorities — from constraints mapping and evidence base preparation to local plan data and site analysis.
- Constraints, proposals and policies maps for any planning purpose
- Evidence base mapping for local plan examinations
- Neighbourhood plan GIS support — site analysis, settlement maps
- Planning application site boundary and red line plans
- Housing policy analysis — 5YLS, HDT, SHLAA and SHELAA review
- Flexible — brief task or extended instruction, hourly or fixed fee
Unlock your land's
full potential
End-to-end support for landowners looking to realise development value — from establishing planning potential through to securing permission and structuring a sale to a developer, without giving up control of the process.
- Constraint & policy assessment to establish development potential
- Planning application strategy and submission support
- Option agreement structuring once permission is secured
- Introduction and negotiation with housebuilders & developers
- Confidential throughout — your land is never shared speculatively
- No upfront fees — aligned with the value created for you
Six ways to
work together
All work is priced at a flat rate. Scope is agreed upfront, and you are only billed for the time actually worked. All engagements are handled in strict confidence; no site data or client information is ever shared with any third party.
Strategic
land search
40–50 constraint model built to your criteria across one or more LPAs — sites identified, scored and shortlisted against your development parameters.
- Local plan policy, SHLAA & allocations
- 5-year HLS, HDT & grey belt analysis
- Client-driven search criteria
- Ranked site shortlist with composite scoring
- Multiple LPAs available — scope agreed on enquiry
Site appraisal
report
In-depth GIS appraisal of a specific site against planning policy, constraints and development potential — delivered as a mapped PDF briefing.
- Planning history & application analysis
- Policy and allocation status
- Physical and environmental constraints
- Access, ownership & infrastructure review
- Mapped PDF report deliverable
Policy & housing
land analysis
Standalone analysis of housing delivery, land supply position and policy context for a specific LPA — timed for appeal prospects or pre-application strategy.
- 5-year housing land supply assessment
- Housing Delivery Test analysis
- Local plan status & timetable review
- Grey belt & NPPF policy position
- Written briefing note deliverable
Planning
GIS support
Ad hoc GIS mapping and spatial analysis for local plans, neighbourhood plans and planning applications — flexible, brief or extended engagements.
- Constraints and proposals maps
- Evidence base mapping
- Site boundary and red line plans
- Data preparation for examinations
- Any planning or property mapping task
GIS project
build
Design and delivery of a bespoke GIS project — data sourcing, model build, layers and outputs configured to your team's workflow and repeated use.
- Scoped to your exact requirements
- Planning, property or infrastructure focus
- Data sourcing and integration
- Repeatable — handover with documentation
- Ongoing support available
Retained GIS
& land consultant
Monthly retainer for ongoing GIS and land acquisition support — priority access, fixed monthly cost, and continuous site search monitoring.
- ~30 hours per month included
- Priority turnaround on all tasks
- Ongoing site search & monitoring
- Policy and local plan change alerts
- Strict confidentiality guaranteed
How instructions
are structured
A defined mapping task — constraint plan, red line boundary, evidence base layer, or site analysis. Scoped, quoted and delivered within an agreed timeframe. No retainer required.
Comprehensive spatial assessment of a specific site against constraint layers, planning policy, allocation status, access and ownership. Delivered as a mapped PDF briefing note.
Assessment of an LPA's housing delivery position, 5-year land supply, HDT status, local plan timetable and grey belt policy environment. Used to inform appeal strategy and pre-application decisions.
Full constraint model build to client criteria, site identification, scoring and shortlisting across a defined LPA area. Outputs include ranked site list with spatial evidence. Multi-LPA instructions by arrangement.
Monthly retainer covering ongoing GIS tasks, site search monitoring, policy change alerts and priority access for ad hoc instructions. Fixed monthly cost with no billing uncertainty.
Start a
conversation
Whether you have a specific instruction in mind or want to discuss how GIS and land acquisition consulting could support your work — get in touch and we will respond within two working days.
Planning support
within two working days