Land Option Agreements in Solihull
Options suit landowners in Solihull 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.
Solihull · B91Free 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 Solihull
Solihull sits about 7 miles south-east of Birmingham in West Midlands, in the B91 postcode district. The nearest other places we cover are Birmingham (7 miles), Kenilworth (9 miles) and Smethwick (10 miles). Solihull is part of England’s West Midlands region. Our head office in Great Barr, Birmingham, is about 12 miles away.
Sites worth a conversation around Solihull: large and long rear gardens, paddocks on the edge of Solihull and land that already has planning permission. Because Solihull is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Solihull.
What you get in Solihull
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.
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.
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.
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.
Planning and land rules in Solihull
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 Solihull 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.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 Solihull
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.
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 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 Solihull an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Solihull and elsewhere in West Midlands, including Wednesfield, Halesowen and Wednesbury. 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: Landowner joint ventures explained: sharing in the development