Land Option Agreements in Croydon
Think of an option on land in Croydon as a reservation with conditions attached. You agree not to sell to anyone else for a set term. In return, Land to Homes funds the planning work and pays your reasonable legal fees, agreed up front in the heads of terms. If permission is granted, we can buy at the formula price you agreed.
Croydon · CR0Free 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 we look at around Croydon
In Greater London, Croydon lies about 9 miles south of London; its central postcode district is CR0. South Croydon is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 1 mile, followed by Wallington and Carshalton. Croydon is part of England’s London region.
Typical sites we review near Croydon include brownfield land in and around Croydon, large and long rear gardens and small holdings and pony paddocks. As Croydon is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Tell us where your land is around Croydon and we will explain the routes open to you.
Why work with Land to Homes in Croydon
Keep using your land
You normally stay in possession during the option. Farming, grazing or existing lettings can usually continue, subject to access for surveys and limits on granting new long-term tenancies.
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.
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.
Price set by valuation
The purchase price is usually market value with planning, agreed between the parties or set by an independent surveyor, less a negotiated discount. A minimum price clause can put a floor under the figure.
How the rules work in Croydon
In England, most planning applications for new homes in Croydon 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, 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.
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Your questions answered for Croydon
How long do land option agreements last?
The term is negotiated and depends on how much planning work is needed. Strategic sites waiting for a new local plan usually need longer terms than small sites with clear policy support. Look for a firm longstop date and sensible limits on any extensions, so the land cannot be tied up indefinitely.
How does an option agreement work for land?
The landowner grants a developer the exclusive right to buy the land within a set term. The developer spends its own money seeking planning permission. If suitable permission is granted, the developer serves notice and buys at a price worked out under a formula in the agreement, usually market value less a discount and agreed costs.
What is the difference between an option and a promotion agreement?
Under an option, the developer buys the land itself at a formula price, so it benefits from a lower valuation. Under a promotion agreement, the promoter sells the land on the open market with you and takes a fee from the proceeds, so both sides want the highest price. Our guide compares the two in detail.
What happens if planning is refused during an option?
The developer can usually appeal, submit a revised scheme or wait for a new local plan, as long as the option term allows. If no suitable permission is secured by the end date, the option lapses and you are free to deal with the land again, normally keeping any premium already paid.
Is Croydon an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Croydon and elsewhere in Greater London, including Romford, Brixton and Northolt. 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: Land Option Agreements · Guide: Section 106 and affordable housing: what landowners should know