Release the value of your land

We are of course at the mercy of the planning process, on average the process takes 6 months – 1 year. Our planning consultants and lawyers do all they can to progress our applications in a timely manner. Each planning application must go through a public consultation stage and should the initial proposal be rejected, we will review and revise with planners to a successful conclusion wherever possible

Following our site visit, we explore further any potential constraints on the land by way of planning and freehold title permissions. We have nothing to gain by submitting a planning application that will not be approved, so this is the stage where we complete our extensive due diligence and discuss potential with our architects and clients. If the risk is too high, and planning permission is unlikely, our clients are fully informed, therefore there is absolutely no risk for our clients.

We conduct research in the area using available software to identify potential sites based on location, size, surrounding area and local planning constraints. We therefore have identified at this stage, that we believe there is potential to release the value in your land.

There are many factors which effect the end profit of a deal, largely dependant on property prices in the area, and the size / number of units that can be built on the land. On average a small site of 1 or 2 dwellings would realise a profit of around £80,000 - £400,000. Larger sites of course will realise larger profits, on average 8 or 9 additional dwellings will realise £500,000 to £2,500.000

Profit would be based on all costs for planning and consultation being taken from the value that is gained when selling the site to a developer, based on how much profit they will make from selling the units once completed

An option is a legally binding agreement whereby a nominal sum (usually £1) is paid to the landowner by our company in order to take control of the land, rather than purchase it outright at the pre-planning stage. The agreement states that if planning permission is gained, we will purchase the land from the landowner at an agreed price. This is therefore risk free for the landowner – all costs are covered by our company and should planning permission not be gained, the landowner has lost nothing

Yes, you will need to instruct a commercial solicitor who has experience in option agreements. We have a number of solicitors that we are able to recommend.

No, you do not have to own the property outright, but if you do have a mortgage, you will need to contact your lender to get permission. The value of your house will not be affected as houses are valued on price per square foot. There may be a slight reduction on the value of the remaining estate to a potential buyer due to the loss of the area of land, this will however be more than compensated by the offer price of the deal with us.

This will depend on your personal circumstances and we always advise our customers tho speak to a capital gains tax specialist, however HMRC say;

You’ll be entitled to full relief where all the following conditions are met:

● the dwelling house has been your only or main residence throughout your period of ownership

● you have not been absent, other than for an allowed period of absence or because you have been living in job-related accommodation, during your period of ownership

● the garden or grounds including the buildings on them are not greater than the permitted area. (The area of garden and grounds of a person’s residence that qualifies for relief is referred to in the legislation as the permitted area. The permitted area includes the site of the dwelling-house. S222(2) TCGA92 defines the permitted area as 0.5 hectares. If the garden and grounds of the residence, including the site of the dwelling-house, do not exceed the permitted area then relief is automatically due for that whole area.)

● no part of your home has been used exclusively for business purposes during your period of ownership. Working from home using a room that is also used for non-business purposes will not prevent entitlement to full relief

If you meet all of these conditions, you will not have to pay CGT on the disposal

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