At SXK Group Ltd, we specialise in identifying residential development opportunities across the UK and working in partnership with landowners to unlock the true value of their land. We manage the entire process on your behalf — from initial assessment through to planning approval — at no cost or risk to you.
This guide explains exactly how that process works, step by step, in plain and straightforward terms.
Once you have expressed an interest in working with us, our first step is to carry out a detailed feasibility study on your site. This is a thorough assessment of your land’s development potential, taking into account:
Once our feasibility study is complete, we will present you with a clear and detailed written proposal. This will set out what we believe can be achieved on your land, the deal structure we are proposing, and the financial return we anticipate you could receive. There is no obligation on your part at this stage.
If you are happy to proceed following our proposal, we will discuss and agree on the deal structure that best suits your circumstances. We offer two options:
Option A – Fixed Price: We agree a set purchase price for the land upfront. This gives you certainty and security, and you will know exactly what you will receive upon completion of the sale, regardless of the final planning outcome.
Option B – Percentage of Sale Price: Rather than a fixed figure, you receive an agreed percentage of the price achieved for the plot once planning permission has been granted. This approach has the potential to deliver a significantly higher return, as the value of land with planning permission is considerably greater.
We will guide you through both options so that you can make the decision that is right for you. We would always encourage you to seek your own independent financial or legal advice at this stage.
Once you are happy with the proposed terms, the next step is to put a formal legal agreement in place. We strongly recommend — and actively encourage — you to appoint your own independent solicitor to review and advise you on the contract. This protects your interests and ensures complete transparency throughout.
The contract will set out all agreed terms clearly, including the deal structure, timescales, and the obligations of both parties. Our legal costs are covered by us; you are only responsible for your own solicitor’s fees.
Once both parties are satisfied and contracts have been formally exchanged, we can move forward to the planning stage.
With contracts exchanged, we immediately begin assembling the team of specialists required to support and prepare the planning application. All professional fees are covered entirely by SXK Group Ltd — you will have no financial outlay whatsoever at any stage of this process.
The surveys and reports we commission typically include, but are not limited to:
Additional reports may be required depending on the specific characteristics of the site — for example, a drainage strategy, contamination report, or heritage assessment. We will manage all of this on your behalf.
Once all drawings, reports, and supporting documents are complete and signed off, we submit the full planning application to the Local Planning Authority on your behalf.
Target Timescale: We aim to be in a position to submit the planning application within approximately 6 weeks of contracts being exchanged. The exact timing will depend on the complexity of the surveys required and the availability of specialist consultants.
Throughout this process, our planning consultant will liaise directly with the Local Authority’s planning officers to address any queries, respond to consultee comments, and ensure the application progresses as smoothly as possible.
Once the planning application has been validated and registered by the Local Planning Authority, the formal determination process begins. The planning authority will consult with statutory bodies, neighbours, and other interested parties before reaching a decision.
Expected Timescale: In most cases, a decision is reached within 12 to 16 weeks of the application being submitted. More complex applications, or those subject to additional consultation requirements, may take longer. We will keep you updated throughout.
In the event that the application faces any objections or complications, our planning consultant will work proactively to address these, whether through negotiation, the submission of additional information, or, if necessary, a formal planning appeal.
Once planning permission has been granted, we proceed to complete the purchase of the land in accordance with the agreed contract terms.
At this point, the financial return you receive will depend on the deal structure agreed at the outset:
In either case, your solicitor will oversee the completion of the transaction, and the full proceeds will be transferred to you directly.
