Land Option Agreements in Burntwood
Think of an option on land in Burntwood 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.
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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 Burntwood
In Staffordshire, Burntwood lies about 25 miles south-east of Stoke-on-Trent; its central postcode district is WS7. Nearby, we also cover Lichfield, Cannock and Aldridge, all within 5 miles. Within England, Burntwood falls in the West Midlands region. Burntwood is about 8 miles from our Great Barr head office in Birmingham.
In and around Burntwood, the land we appraise ranges from former garage blocks and yards to small holdings and pony paddocks, including infill gaps along existing streets. In England, where Burntwood sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
Tell us where your land is around Burntwood and we will explain the routes open to you.
How we work in Burntwood
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.
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.
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.
Planning and land rules in Burntwood
Land with no planning permission can still be sold. Around Burntwood, the usual routes in England are a direct sale, an option agreement or a promotion agreement, where the planning work is funded for you and the land is sold once consent is granted. Outline planning permission settles the principle, with reserved matters approved later. Section 106 obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy where charged and biodiversity net gain all affect what a site is worth, so independent advice matters.
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 |
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
| 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. |
Common questions in Burntwood
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 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.
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.
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.
Do you work with landowners in Burntwood?
We do. We work with landowners in Burntwood and elsewhere in Staffordshire, including Cannock, Newcastle under Lyme and Lichfield. Send us a postcode and we will start with a free, no-obligation appraisal of what the land could take.
Read more: Land Option Agreements · Guide: Tax when selling land for development