Plan, then purchase
We sign an option agreement and handle the whole planning application, free of charge to you. Once consent is granted, we buy your land at the price agreed upfront.
How our option agreement worksBest for: maximising value
For landowners
Had a letter from us?
We think your land or property could be worth more with planning permission. Talking it through is free, with no obligation.
What we look for.
A forgotten plot or a tired building can be the start of something new.
Underused land
Large gardens, garages, backland, vacant and infill plots with room for new homes.
Buildings with untapped potential
Outdated or underperforming property that could be extended, converted or rebuilt.
Complex sites
Awkward shapes, tricky access, difficult planning history. Where design and know-how unlock value.
Three ways to work together.
Some owners want a simple sale. Some want the best price after planning. Some want to stay involved. You choose.
Purchase, then plan
Where the opportunity is right, we buy before planning. You get an agreed sale and certainty now; we take on the planning risk.
Best for: a simple, quick sale
Partner to develop
You contribute the land; we bring design, planning, development and, where agreed, investment. Costs, risks and returns are shared.
Best for: staying involved
Our option agreement, in plain English.
An option agreement gives us the right, but not the obligation, to buy your land once we've secured planning. Here is exactly how it works and what we commit to.
1Sign
Price agreed upfront
2Planning
At our cost
3Decision
Then one of two things happens:
4aConsent granted
We buy at the agreed price
or
4bNo consent, or time runs out
Option ends. Your land stays yours
Our commitments
Planning at our cost
We pay for the design, surveys, consultants and the planning application. You pay nothing for planning.
Price fixed before you sign
The purchase price, or exactly how it will be worked out, is written into the agreement from day one.
A clear time limit
The agreement runs for a set period with a fixed end date. If we don't buy within it, the option simply ends.
You see everything
You see the drawings before we submit, and we update you at every stage of the application.
Your own solicitor
We always recommend independent legal advice before you sign, and we're happy to answer your solicitor's questions.
Key terms
- Option
- The right, but not the obligation, for us to buy your land within an agreed period.
- Option period
- How long we have to secure planning and decide. You keep owning and using your property throughout.
- During the period
- You agree not to sell to anyone else. The agreement is noted on your Land Registry title, which is standard practice.
- Exercising the option
- Our formal notice that we're buying. Completion then follows at the agreed price and on the agreed terms.
How it works.
Straightforward, personal and at your pace.
Talk
A friendly chat about your property and what you'd like to achieve.
Visit
We visit the site and get to know its surroundings, constraints and opportunities.
Explore
We review planning, test designs and explain the realistic options.
Agree
We agree a clear, transparent arrangement that works for both of us.
Unlock
We design, secure planning and move the project forward, keeping you informed.
Questions
Good to know.
Why did I receive a letter?
We study maps, planning policy and Land Registry records to find properties with potential. Yours stood out. It doesn't mean anything is wrong or that anyone has plans for your property.
Does it cost me anything?
No. The first conversation and our initial planning assessment of your site are free, with no obligation. If we agree an option, we also carry out the full planning application at our own cost.
What is an option agreement?
It gives us the right to buy your land at a price agreed now, once we've secured planning permission. We do the planning work at our cost; you keep your property until we buy. See how it works
Do I have to sell?
No. You can sell now, sell after planning, partner with us, or decide it isn't for you. It's your choice at every stage.
How long does planning take?
Councils aim to decide most applications within 8 weeks, or 13 weeks for larger schemes. Preparing a strong application takes longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your site.
Should I take my own advice?
Yes. We always recommend independent legal advice before you sign anything, and we're happy to work with your solicitor or surveyor.
What happens to my details?
We use them to talk to you about your property. We never sell them, and we only share them when your project needs it, for example with a solicitor or the council. Our privacy policy has the details.
Let's explore the possibilities.
Tell us a little about your property. We'll call you back within two working days.
- Prefer to call?
- +44 7855 707346
- info@pinlondon.co.uk