Sell Land for Development in Forres
If you own land in Forres that could take new homes, you can sell it to Land to Homes as it stands or let us take it through planning first. Selling now gives you certainty. Going through planning first usually raises what the land is worth. On promotion agreements we fund the planning work, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Forres · IV36Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- 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 Forres
We cover Forres as part of Moray. It is about 11 miles west of Elgin, around postcode district IV36. If your land sits between towns, Elgin, Inverness and Buckie are the closest neighbouring places on our list.
Around Forres we look at small holdings and pony paddocks, backland plots with a workable access and land that already has planning permission. In Scotland, where Forres sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).
Tell us where your land is around Forres and we will explain the routes open to you.
Our approach in Forres
Free site appraisal
A no-obligation desktop appraisal covering access, planning policy, likely constraints and an indicative number of homes, before you spend a penny on advice.
Direct purchase on suitable sites
Where a site suits us, we can buy it ourselves with or without planning, with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract.
Your legal fees covered
On option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees. The figure is agreed up front in the heads of terms, so there are no surprises later.
Nothing to pay upfront
Where we promote land through planning, we fund the planning work. They are only recovered from the sale proceeds if the land sells with permission.
How the rules work in Forres
In Scotland, planning applications for land around Forres are decided by the council as planning authority, using National Planning Framework 4 and the Local Development Plan, which together form the statutory development plan. Instead of outline permission, Scotland uses planning permission in principle, followed by approval of matters specified in conditions. Land to Homes can buy suitable sites directly or promote land through planning, and every conversation starts with a free site appraisal.
In Scotland, land sales are concluded through missives rather than exchange of contracts, and planning follows National Planning Framework 4 and the Local Development Plan. Where permission is needed, a deal can be made conditional on planning permission in principle.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Common questions in Forres
Do I need an agent to sell development land?
You do not have to use one, but independent advice is sensible on any land deal. Many landowners use a land agent or chartered surveyor, and you will need your own solicitor. Where we agree to cover your reasonable legal fees, the cap is set out in writing.
What makes land suitable for new homes?
Good road access, a position next to or within an existing settlement, no overriding constraints such as high flood risk, and local planning policy that supports new housing. Sites that miss one of these can still work, but the route and timescale change.
How much is my land worth for development?
It depends on how many homes the site could take, what those homes would sell for locally, and the costs of building them, including roads, drainage, affordable housing and planning obligations. Agricultural or paddock land without planning prospects is worth far less than land with permission. Our free appraisal explains the factors for your site.
Will I have to pay tax when I sell land?
Selling land can create a Capital Gains Tax or Income Tax liability depending on your circumstances. We are not tax advisers, so we always recommend speaking to an accountant before you agree terms. GOV.UK has a guide to tax when you sell land and property.
Do you work with landowners in Forres?
We do. We work with landowners in Forres and elsewhere in Moray, including Buckie and Elgin. Send us a postcode and we will start with a free, no-obligation appraisal of what the land could take.
Read more: Sell Land for Development · Guide: Tax when selling land for development