Hi,
I & my neighbours live in & own 3 detached properties, all side by side, in the centre of a commuter town. If sold individually the lowest value would be £300K & the highest £400K. Collectively we might realise a total of about £1M.
For a couple of years, I've wondered about combining the property/land into a single parcel for redevelopment of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. My neighbours are generally agreeable to the idea as we're all either retired or coming up to retirement.
There have been smaller plots that have been dealt with in this way and they seem to have been successful. With a good architect I think the 3 plots combined could provide around 20 -25 dwellings in total.
What I'd like to know is where is the best place to start. I approached one local developer a couple of years ago & they suggested that it wouldn't be worthwhile but I'm not sure about that bearing in mind that much smaller plots have been developed within a very short distance.
Anyone have any ideas or experience at this type of thing?

Take note of the addresses of the similar developments you quote and go to your local planning office, there you will be able to see the planning files for them and find out who the architects or Planning Consultants (similar to architects but specialising in more contentious issues) were. Talk to these architects to get their opinion on viability. If it is viable and you can gain planning permission yourselves then you would be able to sell the plot for a higher sum as you will have eliminated the risk for developers, although you will have incurred costs yourself by way of architects fees. Alternatively the planning applications might also tell you who the developers were, if you approached these developers they may be more receptive than the ones you've spoken to previously as they have experience of your local market. Personally I'd be tempted to talk to the architects first.