Funding and Investment Partners in Kirkwall
If you lend to or invest in residential development and are interested in sites in Kirkwall, Land to Homes is open to a conversation. We discuss funding with development lenders, institutional partners and landowners considering a joint venture. Any arrangement is agreed privately, with each party taking its own legal, tax and financial advice. This page is not an offer.
Kirkwall · KW15Start a conversation
Tell us about your organisation or opportunity and we will call you back.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Private conversationsEvery arrangement documented
- Land to homesLand, planning and construction
- Housing partnersCouncils and housing associations
- No public offerNothing here is an offer to invest
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Schemes around Kirkwall
About 113 miles north-east of Inverness, Kirkwall is part of our Highlands & Islands coverage, centred on postcode district KW15. Nearby, we also cover Thurso, Buckie and Elgin, all within 93 miles.
Partnerships we can discuss around Kirkwall include social rent homes, council land brought forward for homes and forward-funded build to rent. In Scotland, where Kirkwall sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).
To discuss a scheme near Kirkwall, call us or send a short note about the opportunity.
How we work in Kirkwall
Landowner co-investment
A landowner can keep an interest in their land through a joint venture rather than selling outright, with the terms set out in a written agreement.
Not an offer to invest
Nothing on this site is an offer or invitation to invest, and nothing here is regulated investment advice, a recommendation or a solicitation.
No money from the public
We do not take deposits, loans or investment from members of the public. Funding is discussed privately with lenders, institutions and landowners only.
Forward funding and purchase
For build to rent and affordable homes, we discuss forward funding and forward purchase structures with institutional and registered provider partners.
Planning in Kirkwall: the Scottish rules
Land sales in Scotland are concluded through missives, an exchange of formal letters between solicitors. Once missives are concluded they form a binding contract, and the buyer takes entry at settlement, then registers the title with Registers of Scotland. For land near Kirkwall, missives can be made conditional on planning permission in principle, so the sale only proceeds if consent is secured. The buyer pays Land and Buildings Transaction Tax to Revenue Scotland.
In Scotland, land transactions attract Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, and lenders take a standard security registered with Registers of Scotland rather than a legal charge. Contracts are concluded through missives, and planning obligations are secured by Section 75 agreements. Scottish property law differs from English law, so partners need Scottish legal advice.
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
|---|---|
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
Your questions answered for Kirkwall
How can a landowner co-invest in a development?
Instead of selling outright, a landowner can put land into a joint venture with a developer, agreeing how costs, decisions and proceeds are shared. This can suit landowners who want a longer-term involvement. It carries more risk than a sale, so independent legal, tax and financial advice is essential before agreeing any terms.
How is forward purchase different from forward funding?
With forward funding, the investor pays for the land and construction as the scheme is built. With forward purchase, the investor commits to buy the completed homes, but the developer arranges construction finance in the meantime. The choice affects risk, cost and timing for both parties, so each takes its own advice before agreeing terms.
Do public bodies fund housing development?
Public bodies support housing delivery in each nation, for example Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency in England, and the Development Bank of Wales, which offers property development lending. Grant for affordable housing usually goes to councils and registered providers rather than developers. We describe these bodies for context; each has its own criteria.
What types of funding do residential developments use?
Typically a mix of senior development debt, sometimes mezzanine debt, and equity from the developer and its partners. Build to rent and affordable homes may use forward funding or forward purchase by an institution or registered provider. Landowners can also contribute land through a joint venture. The right structure depends on the scheme, and each party takes independent advice.
Can we discuss a partnership in Kirkwall?
We are happy to talk about specific opportunities in Kirkwall and elsewhere in Highlands & Islands, including Stornoway, Inverness and Lerwick. Conversations are private and every arrangement is documented by each party’s own advisers. Nothing here is an invitation to invest.
Read more: Funding and Investment Partners · Guide: Option agreement or promotion agreement: what is the difference?