Our Approach
Our objective is to work with landowners to help them unlock the development potential of their land, undertaking and funding the process from inception through to planning consent, and then managing the sale of the consented site to a house builder.
We seek to collaborate with landowners, to align our interests with each other, and use our experience and expertise to steer through the complexities of the planning process. We promote responsible development on their land, creating value for them while delivering much needed housing which recognises community concerns and requirements.
The relationship between us and the landowner is usually based on a Promotion Agreement. This is often preferred by landowners who would like to secure planning consent and sell their land in the open market with the benefit of not being tied to one purchaser under an option agreement. It enables them to benefit from our experience and expertise to pursue the planning potential of their land without the significant speculative expense of the process.
Our team prepares a bespoke strategy for every site,
engages the professional team at our own expense,
and manages the process throughout.
We always keep our landowners involved as the process progresses, affording them as much or as little input as they choose.
On success, we then manage the process of bringing the land to the open market for sale to a house builder. The price for the land is determined in a competitive bidding process. Marketing sites in this way helps to optimise value for the landowner.
Once the land is sold, we receive a fee based on the value achieved and on proportions agreed at the outset.
The Step-By-Step Process
Site Identification
The UK planning system is complex and can be risky. We identify sites with a strong potential of securing permission for development, taking into account the Local Planning Authority’s current five year housing land supply and Local Plan status.
Agree the Land Promotion Relationship
We then align our interests; because our return is based on the eventual selling price for the site, our motivation is the same as the landowner’s – to optimise the value of the land.
Technical & Environmental Assessments
Technical and environmental constraints vary on each site. We assemble a specialist technical team who will survey the site, consider possible issues, identify the constraints, and help shape the proposals. We engage the team to prepare all the technical reports and supporting documents that are required throughout the preparatory and planning application process.
Stakeholder, Local Authority & Community Engagement
We seek to interact with the Local Planning Authority and local communities as soon as possible. We work hard to ensure stakeholders, including Parish & Town Councils, local neighbours, ward members and community groups see these developments as a positive part of their community, usually delivering much needed community infrastructure alongside housing and mixed-use development.
Planning Application
Once consultation is complete and all of our technical information is ready, we submit an application to the Local Planning Authority. During the determination process, we strive for excellent communication with planning officials and seek to resolve any technical issues as quickly as possible.
Consent & Sale
Once planning permission has been secured, the site is then sold on the open market to optimise value. We work closely with a range of house builders to ensure that any design or legacy framework is adhered to when the site is built out.
Other Options
Our preferred relationship with landowners is in the form of a Promotion Agreement because we believe that this is best for all parties. However, other arrangements are possible.
For example, under certain circumstances, we are prepared to consider either conditional or unconditional freehold purchase of the land, or an option agreement. If you want to get in touch with us, we would be happy to discuss alternative structures with you.