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For landowners · Kent

Landowner Joint Ventures in Herne Bay

Can I enter a joint venture on land in Herne Bay?

Joint ventures in Herne Bay suit landowners who can wait for their money and are comfortable with uncertainty. Your land becomes part of a development, with Land to Homes, part of the S&K Group, running planning and construction. How costs, profit, decisions and any lender's security over the land are handled is all set out in the agreement.

Aerial view of long rear gardens behind 1930s semi-detached houses backing onto a paddockHerne Bay · CT6

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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 Herne Bay

About 27 miles east of Maidstone, Herne Bay is part of our Kent coverage, centred on postcode district CT6. Whitstable is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 5 miles, followed by Canterbury and Faversham. Within England, Herne Bay falls in the South East region.

Typical sites we review near Herne Bay include fields put forward or allocated in the local plan, redundant commercial buildings and backland plots with a workable access. In England, where Herne Bay sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).

If you own land near Herne Bay, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.

How we work in Herne Bay

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.

Funding and lender security

Development lenders usually want a first charge over the land. If your land is charged, you need to understand what happens if the project runs into difficulty and what protection the agreement gives you.

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.

Choice of structure

A joint venture can be purely contractual, a joint venture company or a limited liability partnership. Each handles control, liability, tax and exit differently, and your own advisers should help you choose.

Planning and land rules in Herne Bay

In England, most planning applications for new homes in Herne Bay are decided by the local planning authority, usually the council, using its Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. Many landowners sell without planning, either outright or through an option or promotion agreement that funds the application first. Land to Homes offers a free site appraisal, pays your reasonable legal fees on option and promotion agreements, and can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract.

In England, a joint venture scheme still has to meet the Local Plan, the NPPF and, where it applies, biodiversity net gain. Affordable housing is usually secured through a Section 106 agreement, which affects cash flow. If land is transferred into a joint venture company, Stamp Duty Land Tax can arise, and the transfer is registered at HM Land Registry.

Key rules in Herne Bay
Who decides applicationsThe local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority)
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land registrationHM Land Registry
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Landowner Joint Ventures in Herne Bay: questions

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.

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.

Is a joint venture riskier than selling my land?

Usually, yes. A sale gives you a known figure. In a joint venture, what you receive depends on build costs, sales values, funding and timing, all of which can change. If the market falls or costs rise, your share could be less than a straight sale would have achieved, which is why advice before committing matters.

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.

Is Herne Bay an area you cover for land?

Yes, we cover land in Herne Bay and elsewhere in Kent, including Chatham, Whitstable and Ashford (Kent). Where a site suits us we can buy it directly, or set up an option or promotion agreement. On promotion there is nothing to pay upfront.

Read more: Landowner Joint Ventures · Guide: Option agreement or promotion agreement: what is the difference?

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

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