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For landowners · Greater London

Land Option Agreements in Bow

How does a land option agreement work in Bow?

Options suit landowners in Bow whose land needs planning before it is worth building on. The terms that matter are the length of the option, any premium paid on signing, how market value is set, what may be deducted and the longstop date. Land to Homes explains each one in plain English before your solicitor sees a draft.

Misty paddock at sunrise on the edge of a market town with a church spireBow · E3

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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

Selling land around Bow

In Greater London, Bow lies about 5 miles east of London; its central postcode district is E3. If your land sits between towns, Stratford, Canary Wharf and Canning Town are the closest neighbouring places on our list. Within England, Bow falls in the London region.

Typical sites we review near Bow include large and long rear gardens, redundant commercial buildings and farmland next to the settlement boundary. As Bow is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

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

What we offer in Bow

Right to buy, not obligation

The developer may buy if suitable planning is granted, but does not have to. You are bound not to sell elsewhere during the term, which is why its length and exit points matter so much.

Deductions agreed in advance

Costs such as planning obligations, abnormal ground works or infrastructure are often deducted from the price. The agreement should list exactly what can be deducted, so the price cannot be eroded later.

Planning funded by us

We commission the surveys, design work and planning application at our own cost, and keep you informed at each stage so you know how the planning case is progressing.

Your legal fees paid

On option agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees, with the amount agreed up front in the heads of terms, so you can instruct your own solicitor to review every clause.

How the rules work in Bow

Whether a field or large garden could take homes depends mostly on the council's Local Plan and national policy. Under the National Planning Policy Framework, plans define settlement boundaries, and land just outside Bow may still come forward if it is allocated, previously developed or meets evidenced unmet housing need. Smaller housing schemes can also use Permission in Principle, an England-only route that settles location, use and amount first. Our free appraisal explains which route suits your land.

In England, an option is usually protected by a notice on your title at HM Land Registry. Planning is pursued through the Local Plan or an application judged against the NPPF, and price deductions often cover Section 106 obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy and, where it applies, the cost of meeting biodiversity net gain.

Key rules in Bow
Who decides applicationsThe local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority)
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Land registrationHM Land Registry
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Common questions in Bow

Can I sell my land while it is under option?

Not without dealing with the option first. The developer's rights are normally protected against your title, so a buyer would take the land subject to them. Selling to the option holder or negotiating a release are the usual routes. Your solicitor will explain the effect where your land is.

What is an option premium?

It is a payment a developer may make when the option is signed, in return for exclusive rights over the land. The amount varies widely from site to site and is negotiated. Some agreements deduct it from the final purchase price, while others do not, so the heads of terms should say which applies.

What discount do developers take on a land option?

Options usually include a discount from market value to reflect the developer's cost and risk in securing planning. The level is negotiated case by case and there is no standard figure. Compare it alongside the deductions, minimum price and term, because a modest discount can be undone by wide deductions.

Is an option payment taxable?

It can be. Receiving an option payment can have tax consequences when you receive it, not only when the land is finally sold, and the later sale may be looked at together with it. The position depends on your circumstances, so speak to an accountant before you sign.

Do you buy land in Bow?

Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Bow and elsewhere in Greater London, including Coulsdon, Greenwich and Tottenham. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.

Read more: Land Option Agreements · 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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