Option agreements for land in Somerset
Considering an option agreement for land in Somerset? This page sets out the terms that matter and the rules that apply in England.
Options are the usual way to bring larger sites forward. They let us invest in planning while you keep ownership and the use of your land.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- No pressure to decide
Get an offer for land in Somerset
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Option agreements in Somerset at a glance
The Levels and Moors, where flooding and nutrient rules are major planning issues, plus Exmoor, the Mendip Hills, and green belt around Bath.
| County | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Towns we cover here | 10 |
| Main town | Bath |
| Example postcode districts | BA1, BA11, BA20, BS20, BS21 |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| When you're paid | Option fee now, price when the option is exercised |
| Timescale | Often several years |
Is an option agreement right for your land?
- Larger fields and blocks on the edge of towns and villages
- Land being considered in a local plan review
- Owners happy to wait several years for a higher price
- Land needing access or infrastructure to be unlocked
- Owners who want to keep farming until development
Options are the usual way to bring larger sites forward. They let us invest in planning while you keep ownership and the use of your land.
How the money works
Option fee
A payment on signing, which you usually keep even if the option isn't exercised.
Minimum price
A floor that protects you if values fall.
Exercise triggers
What has to happen before we can buy.
Your obligations
Agreements set what you can and can't do with the land in the meantime.
Land an option agreement works for in Somerset
Land with planning permission in Somerset
Rarely needed once consent exists, but can suit phased sites.
Paddocks and equestrian land in Somerset
Useful where the paddock could form part of a wider site.
Barns and rural buildings in Somerset
Less common for single buildings but can suit whole farmyards.
Garden land and backland in Somerset
Useful when several neighbours' gardens are being assembled.
Infill plots and gap sites in Somerset
Seldom needed for single infill plots.
Garage sites in Somerset
Rarely needed unless several garage owners are involved.
How a sale works
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
We check it properly
Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.
We put an offer in writing
It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.
The legal work
Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.
Rules that apply in England
Planning framework
Planning decisions in England follow the National Planning Policy Framework, revised in August 2026, and the local plan, prepared by the council or, in a national park, the park authority. Plans are reviewed periodically, which is when new housing sites are usually allocated.
Section 106 and CIL
Larger schemes often need a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing or contributions, and councils that have adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy charge it per square metre of new floorspace.
When the land isn't straightforward
You're worried about the deductions
Ask for a clear list and a cap on what can be deducted. We'll explain each one.
You want to be sure we'll actually pursue planning
Agreements can include obligations to use reasonable endeavours and set milestones.
Useful to send us
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Your title number, if you know it
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
Your questions answered
What is an option agreement?
A contract that gives the buyer the right to buy your land within a set period, usually after planning permission is granted. You receive an option fee now and the purchase price if the option is exercised.
Do I keep the option fee if you don't buy?
Normally, yes. The terms are set out in the agreement.
Can I sell to someone else during the option?
Not usually. The option binds the land, and it's normally registered against your title.
Do you buy land in Somerset?
Yes. We consider land across Somerset, from Bath to the smaller towns and villages. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, and we'll tell you either way.
Option agreements by town in Somerset
Find out what we'd pay for your land in Somerset
Send the postcode and a rough size and we'll come back with a straight answer.