Landowner Joint Ventures in County Londonderry
If you own land in County Londonderry and want more than a land price, a joint venture lets you stay involved in what gets built. The structure might be a contract, a joint venture company or a partnership. Each has different implications for control, risk, tax and funding, so independent legal and tax advice is essential before you commit.
County LondonderryFree site appraisal
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- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Land and sites near County Londonderry
We cover 4 places across County Londonderry: Derry/Londonderry is the main one, alongside Coleraine, Magherafelt and Limavady. If your land is near a boundary, we also cover County Tyrone, County Antrim and County Armagh.
In and around County Londonderry, the land we appraise ranges from small holdings and pony paddocks to farmland next to the settlement boundary, including fields put forward or allocated in the local plan. Planning in County Londonderry follows Northern Ireland’s rules: the Strategic Planning Policy Statement sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.
Send us a postcode in or near BT48 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.
What we offer in County Londonderry
Sale or rent agreed together
Homes can be built for sale, for rent, or as affordable housing with a council or housing association. The mix affects risk and when money comes back, so it is agreed before work starts.
Advice before commitment
Joint ventures carry real commercial risk. We always recommend independent legal, tax and valuation advice, and we will say plainly if a straight sale or an option looks like a better fit for you.
Construction within the group
As part of the S&K Group, a construction and property group, Land to Homes plans schemes around homes it can build, keeping design, cost control and delivery closely connected.
Decisions and deadlock
The agreement should say who decides on design, pricing, contractors and programme, which matters need both parties' consent, and how any disagreement is resolved without stalling the project.
Planning in County Londonderry: the Northern Irish rules
Countryside planning policy in Northern Ireland is generally restrictive, so land inside or next to the settlement development limits around County Londonderry is usually the strongest prospect for new homes. Outline planning permission can establish the principle, with reserved matters approved later. A promotion agreement lets us fund that planning work, with our costs recovered from the sale proceeds only if the land sells with planning. Your reasonable legal fees are covered too, agreed in the heads of terms.
In Northern Ireland, joint ventures use similar structures, but planning is handled by the district council under the SPPS and its local development plan. Section 76 agreements can secure affordable housing, often delivered by housing associations through the social housing programme the Housing Executive manages. Stamp Duty Land Tax applies, and titles are registered with Land & Property Services.
| National planning policy | Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS, Edition 2), applied with retained Planning Policy Statements until each council adopts its Plan Strategy |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP), made up of a Plan Strategy and a Local Policies Plan |
| Who decides applications | The 11 district councils, with the Department for Infrastructure deciding regionally significant applications |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | Land & Property Services (Land Registry and Registry of Deeds) |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding when contracts signed by both parties are exchanged and finishes on completion, with the title registered in the Land Registry at Land & Property Services. |
| Developer contributions | Section 76 planning agreements under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (there is no Community Infrastructure Levy) |
Questions about Landowner Joint Ventures in County Londonderry
What is a landowner joint venture?
It is an arrangement where a landowner and a developer pool what they have to deliver a development. The landowner usually contributes the land, and the developer contributes expertise, management and access to funding. Instead of a fixed price at the start, the landowner shares in the outcome once homes are sold or let, under agreed terms.
Can a joint venture include affordable or rental homes?
Yes. A scheme can combine homes for sale, homes for rent and affordable or social homes delivered with a council or housing association. The mix changes the cash flow and when money is paid out, so it should be agreed between the parties before the planning application is submitted.
How is the land valued in a joint venture?
Usually by agreement or independent valuation at the start, based on its value with or without planning. That figure may give you a first call on proceeds before any profit is shared. The method matters a great deal, so agree it in writing and consider taking advice from your own surveyor.
Do I have to put money into a joint venture?
Not always. In many landowner joint ventures the land is the landowner's whole contribution, while the developer arranges the rest of the funding. Some structures ask both parties to contribute cash. The agreement should state clearly whether any further contribution could ever be required from you, and in what circumstances.
Do you buy land in County Londonderry?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land across County Londonderry, including Coleraine, Limavady and Derry/Londonderry. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Read more: Landowner Joint Ventures · Guide: Landowner joint ventures explained: sharing in the development