Option agreements for land in Birmingham
Before you agree an option agreement on land near Birmingham, it helps to know exactly when you'd be paid, who carries the planning risk and how the price is set.
An option agreement gives a buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy land within a set period, usually once planning permission is obtained. The landowner receives an option fee up front and, if the option is exercised, a price normally based on market value with permission, less agreed deductions.
- No pressure to decide
- Independent advice encouraged
- We fund the planning work
Get an offer for land in Birmingham
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Land around Birmingham
From Birmingham, it's 1 mile to Aston and 3 miles to Smethwick. We buy land across that whole stretch of the West Midlands, not only within the town.
Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, with extensive brownfield land and the West Midlands green belt around the edges.
| Town | Birmingham |
|---|---|
| County | West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | B1 |
| OS grid square | SP08 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Aston (1 mi), Smethwick (3 mi), Washwood Heath (3 mi) |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| When you're paid | Option fee now, price when the option is exercised |
| Planning costs | Ours, sometimes recoverable from the price |
Is an option agreement right for your land?
- Land being considered in a local plan review
- Holdings where several owners need to work together
- Land needing access or infrastructure to be unlocked
- Sites with technical issues that need time to resolve
If your land could be allocated in a future local plan, an option keeps it moving towards development without you funding the work.
How the money works
Option fee
A payment on signing, which you usually keep even if the option isn't exercised.
Purchase price
Often a percentage of market value with permission, less agreed costs.
Deductions
Which planning and infrastructure costs come off the price before you're paid.
Your obligations
Agreements set what you can and can't do with the land in the meantime.
Land near Birmingham that an option agreement suits
Development land in Birmingham
Suits larger fields where the planning route may take several years.
Land without planning permission in Birmingham
We pay for the right to buy later and fund the planning work meanwhile.
Land for affordable homes in Birmingham
Useful while housing need is evidenced and a scheme is prepared.
Garden land and backland in Birmingham
Useful when several neighbours' gardens are being assembled.
What happens next
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We do the homework
We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.
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.
What England's rules mean for your land
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 want to be sure we'll actually pursue planning
Agreements can include obligations to use reasonable endeavours and set milestones.
You'd like your advisers' costs covered
Many option agreements include a contribution to the landowner's legal and agent costs. We'll tell you if ours does.
Useful to send us
- The address or postcode
- Your title number, if you know it
- Any planning applications or letters
- Photos of the land and its access
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.
How long do options last?
It varies with the site. Several years is typical for land needing local plan allocation, often with extension rights.
Can you visit land near Birmingham?
Yes. Once we've looked at the title and planning position, we arrange a site visit if the land looks suitable. Send the address or postcode to start.
Also near Birmingham
Other land in Birmingham
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Large strategic sites
- Green belt and grey belt land
- Land for affordable homes
- Farmland and agricultural land
- Paddocks and equestrian land
- Barns and rural buildings
- Building plots
- Garden land and backland
- Infill plots and gap sites
- Small sites
- Garage sites
- Brownfield land
- Redundant commercial and industrial land
- Inherited and probate land
- Landlocked land and access problems
- Outright purchase
- Subject-to-planning sale
- Joint ventures
- All land in Birmingham
- Option agreements in the West Midlands
Get a straight answer about your land
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.