Outright sale
You sell now for a fixed price. Certain and quick, but the price reflects today's planning position. Without consent, you may be selling the uplift to the buyer.
Sell land for development
There is more than one way to sell land with development potential. The right one depends on planning, your timescale and how much risk you want to carry.
We set out the options side by side, with the numbers, so you can make the decision with your family and advisers.
Who it's for
Landowners, farmers, estates and trustees with land on the edge of a settlement or inside it.
- Farmland next to a town or village
- Paddocks, yards and redundant farm buildings
- Land already allocated in a local plan
- Owners approached by a developer and unsure what the offer is worth
How it works
Your three main routes
Most development land is sold in one of three ways. Each one shares risk and reward differently.
Option agreement
A developer pays an option fee for the right to buy later, usually at market value less a discount once planning is granted. They pay for planning. You keep the land until they buy.
Promotion agreement
A promoter funds planning and then sells the land on the open market, taking a share of the proceeds. Interests are aligned on getting the best price.
Overage
A right to extra payment if value increases later, for example if more homes are consented. Useful on outright sales. Drafting matters: trigger, period and how value is measured.
We work alongside our planning partner Collaborative Planning, led by a Chartered Town Planner. We may receive an introducer's fee or commission from this arrangement.
What we need from you
Have these to hand
- Site plan or title number
- Approximate size and current use
- Any known planning history or local plan allocation
- Access points and any rights of way
- Tenancies, grazing licences or occupiers
- Any approaches or offers already received
- Your preferred timescale and any tax or family considerations
Don't have it all? Send what you have. We will tell you what matters most.
Been approached about your land?
Before you sign anything, get an independent view on what the offer is really worth.
Send us the detailsTrack record
We took a 15+ acre edge of town greenfield holding into a promotion agreement, keeping the landowner's cost and risk to a minimum.
How we work
4 steps, one team
- 01
Site appraisal
We look at planning potential, constraints and likely value. With our planning partner Collaborative Planning, led by a Chartered Town Planner, where needed.
- 02
Options compared
We set out sale, option and promotion side by side, with indicative values and risks.
- 03
Partner selection
We approach suitable buyers or promoters and compare offers on terms, not just headline price.
- 04
Negotiation
We negotiate heads of terms, including minimum price, overage, fees and timescales, then hand over to your solicitor.
Common questions
How much is my land worth for development?
It depends on planning. Land with consent can be worth many times its agricultural value, but land without a realistic planning route may not be. We give you a view based on the site, not a rule of thumb.
Should I sell outright or use an option or promotion agreement?
If you want certainty now, sell outright with overage. If you can wait and want the planning uplift, an option or promotion usually gets more. It depends on the site and your circumstances.
What do housebuilders look for in land?
Good access, no major constraints like flood zones, a location people want to live in, a realistic planning route and a size that suits their build programme.
What is overage on a land sale?
An extra payment to the seller if the land later gains value, for example through a better planning consent. The agreement sets the trigger, the share and how long it lasts.
Do I pay anything to promote my land?
Under most promotion and option agreements, the promoter or developer pays planning costs. Check how they recover them and whether your own legal and agent fees are covered.
How long does it take to sell land with planning potential?
An outright sale can take months. Planning led routes often take several years, depending on the local plan and the site. Timescales are indicative.
Insights
Further reading
Land & Planning31 July 2026
Strategic Land Consultants: 8 Ways They Turn Fields Into Fortunes (Without the Risk)
What do strategic land consultants do, and why do UK landowners trust them? Discover 8 ways expert advisers unlock land value, cut planning risk, and maximise returns.
Read article
Land & Planning10 July 2026
7 Proven Ways to Find Development Land for Sale in the UK (And Avoid the 3 Most Costly Mistakes)
Looking for development land for sale in the UK? Discover 7 expert strategies, from off-market sourcing to planning checks, that serious buyers use to secure the right site.
Read article
Market18 June 2026
Summer Outlook: Development Land Demand Across the UK
Where development land demand is concentrating this summer, the asset classes attracting the strongest interest, and what it means for landowners.
Read articlePlanning Consultancy
Thinking of selling land?
Tell us where it is and what you know about planning. We will give you an honest first view.