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Option agreements for land in Shirley

If you own land near Shirley, you may be wondering whether an option agreement would suit you. The answer depends on your land's planning prospects and how soon you want to be paid.

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.

  • Free appraisal and written offer
  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • We fund the planning work

Tell us about your land

We'll check the title and planning, then call you.

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Please enter a postcode, or at least the first half.
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Free and no obligation. We're the buyer, so there's no commission.

Land around Shirley

Shirley lies in the West Midlands, about 6 miles south-east of Birmingham. Nearby, we also look at land around Solihull (2 miles), Acocks Green (3 miles) and Birmingham (6 miles).

TownShirley
CountyWest Midlands
CountryEngland
Postcode districtB28
OS grid squareSP17
Nearest towns we coverSolihull (2 mi), Acocks Green (3 mi), Birmingham (6 mi)
Distance from BirminghamAbout 6 miles south-east
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
When you're paidOption fee now, price when the option is exercised
Planning costsOurs, sometimes recoverable from the price
Two people in outdoor jackets walking along a hedgerow, one pointing across the field

When an option agreement suits land near Shirley

  • Larger fields and blocks on the edge of towns and villages
  • Land needing access or infrastructure to be unlocked
  • Owners who want to keep farming until development
  • Sites with technical issues that need time to resolve

An option can capture more of your land's value where it needs a long planning journey, but the details matter. We explain every term before you commit.

How the money works

Option fee

A payment on signing, which you usually keep even if the option isn't exercised.

Term

How long we have to secure permission and exercise the option.

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 Shirley that an option agreement suits

Development land in Shirley

Suits larger fields where the planning route may take several years.

Building plots in Shirley

Rarely needed for single plots.

Infill plots and gap sites in Shirley

Seldom needed for single infill plots.

Brownfield land in Shirley

Can suit larger brownfield sites with a longer planning route.

How a sale works

  1. Tell us about your land

    Send the postcode or address and a rough size.

  2. We do the homework

    We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.

  3. We put an offer in writing

    It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.

  4. Solicitors complete the sale

    Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.

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.

Common problems, and how we handle them

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
  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Photos of the land and its access
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

What people ask us about an option agreement

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.

What's the difference between an option and a promotion agreement?

Under an option the buyer has the right to buy the land. Under a promotion agreement a promoter gets permission and then sells the land on the open market, taking a share of the proceeds. We offer options, not promotion agreements.

Can you visit land near Shirley?

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.

Nearby towns

Other land in Shirley

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.

Get an offerCall 0800 088 6248