Land Option Agreements in Burnham-on-Sea
A land option agreement in Burnham-on-Sea 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.
Burnham-on-Sea · TA8Free 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
Our coverage in Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea sits about 29 miles west of Bath in Somerset, in the TA8 postcode district. Close by, our coverage also takes in Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Clevedon. Burnham-on-Sea is part of England’s South West region.
Around Burnham-on-Sea we look at former garage blocks and yards, paddocks on the edge of Burnham-on-Sea and brownfield land in and around Burnham-on-Sea. In England, where Burnham-on-Sea sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
Send us a postcode in or near TA8 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.
Why work with Land to Homes in Burnham-on-Sea
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.
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.
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.
Planning in Burnham-on-Sea: the English rules
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 Burnham-on-Sea 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.
| Who decides applications | The 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 registration | HM Land Registry |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
Questions about Land Option Agreements in Burnham-on-Sea
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do you buy land in Burnham-on-Sea?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Burnham-on-Sea and elsewhere in Somerset, including Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Bath. 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: Who pays for land promotion? Fees, costs and legal fees explained