Land Option Agreements in Hinckley
A land option agreement in Hinckley gives a developer the right, but not the obligation, to buy your land within a fixed period, normally once planning permission is granted. The developer pays for the planning work. When the option is exercised, the price is usually market value with that permission, less an agreed discount and agreed costs.
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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 Hinckley
Hinckley (LE10) is one of the Leicestershire towns we cover, about 12 miles south-west of Leicester. If your land sits between towns, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry are the closest neighbouring places on our list. Hinckley is in the East Midlands region of England. Our head office in Great Barr, Birmingham, is about 24 miles away.
Sites worth a conversation around Hinckley: land behind street frontages, brownfield land in and around Hinckley and infill gaps along existing streets. Planning in Hinckley follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.
Send us a postcode in or near LE10 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.
Our approach in Hinckley
Option premium on signing
Many options include a payment when the agreement is signed, in return for tying up the land. Whether it is deducted from the final price is a point to settle in the heads of terms.
Longstop dates and extensions
The option usually ends on a fixed date, sometimes with an extension if an application or appeal is still running. Clear limits stop your land being tied up for longer than you agreed.
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.
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.
The English system, as it applies in Hinckley
Selling development land in Hinckley usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
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.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
Land Option Agreements in Hinckley: questions
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.
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.
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.
Is Hinckley an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Hinckley and elsewhere in Leicestershire, including Oadby, Leicester and Loughborough. 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: Who pays for land promotion? Fees, costs and legal fees explained