Latest News

If you own land on the edge of a village, town or settlement, there is a good chance you may have received letters from housebuilders, developers or land promotion companies expressing an interest in your property. While such approaches can be exciting, they can also be daunting and difficult to assess without professional advice.

At Robinson & Hall, we regularly advise landowners who have been approached regarding the development potential of their land. Whether you have received a single letter or multiple offers from different parties, obtaining independent advice at an early stage can ensure you maximise the value of your asset and avoid committing to arrangements that may not be in your best interests.

Don’t rush into an agreement

Developers and land promoters are constantly searching for sites that may be suitable for future development. However, not all proposals are equal, and the terms offered can vary significantly.

Before entering into any agreement, it is important to understand:

• The true development potential of your land.
• What agreement is being proposed and which is best suited for you.
• The developer/promoter’s strengths and weaknesses, including whether they have deep pockets to fund the planning process.
• The financial and timing implications of each proposal.

Independent professional advice can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

How can we assist you

We are happy to provide impartial advice. Matters that we can assist with include:

• Reviewing approaches and offers

We can assess any letters, offers or proposals you have received and explain their implications in straightforward terms. This allows you to understand the opportunities available and identify which parties are best placed to deliver a successful outcome.

• Identifying the right promotion strategy

In many cases, the highest value is achieved through a land promotion agreement rather than an immediate sale or an option agreement. We can advise on the most suitable route for your particular circumstances and development objectives.

• Finding the right promotion partner

If your land has development potential, selecting the right promoter can make a significant difference to the outcome. We have a list of reputable land promoters which we can approach on your behalf, compare competing proposals, and help identify the partner most likely to secure a planning allocation and maximise land value. Our existing clients also regularly hand over letters received from promoters that are not of interest, and we reply on their behalf to politely decline the offer.

• Negotiating terms

Promotion agreements are complex legal arrangements that can remain in place for many years. We can negotiate commercial terms on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected and that incentives remain aligned throughout the promotion process.

• Managing the sale process

Should planning permission or an allocation be secured, we oversee the marketing and sale of the land, ensuring competitive bidding and helping achieve the best possible price.

Have you submitted land through the Call for Sites process?

Many landowners have already put their land forward through their local authority’s Call for Sites process in the hope that it may be allocated for development in a future Local Plan. However, simply submitting a site is often only the first step.

If your land has been submitted but you do not currently have a developer, promoter or specialist planning team actively promoting the site through the Local Plan process, you could be missing an important opportunity.

Successful site promotion often requires technical assessments, representations to the local planning authority, ongoing engagement with the planning process, and strategic advice over several years. Having an active and well-resourced promotion strategy can significantly improve a site’s prospects of being allocated.

If your land has been submitted but is not currently being actively promoted, we would be pleased to discuss the options available to you. We can also submit your land to the Call for Sites when available.

Speak to us before making a decision

Land with development potential can be one of the most valuable assets a landowner owns. Whether you have received an unsolicited approach, are considering entering into a promotion/option agreement, or have already submitted land through the Call for Sites process, independent advice can ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

If you would like a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss your land’s development potential, please get in touch with me. I can review your situation, assess the opportunities available, and help you develop a strategy to maximise the value of your land.