Land Acquisition
Unlocking Land. Building Homes, Workspaces and Mixed-Use Places.
Lafford Group is actively seeking land acquisition opportunities for residential, and mixed-use schemes across Lincolnshire and neighbouring regions.
We work with private landowners, agents, Local Authorities and other developers to unlock sites and deliver high-quality, sustainable development.
What We Are Looking For
- Residential: Sites for 10–150+ homes; within urban centres, edge-of-settlement or infill; greenfield or brownfield.
- Planning status: With or without consent; allocated, emerging allocation, or strategic longer-term opportunities.
- Location: Lincolnshire and adjacent counties, with a focus on places where we can deliver lasting community value.
Flexible Deal Structures
We tailor agreements to suit landowner needs and site context:
- Freehold purchase (unconditional or subject to planning).
- Option agreements and hybrid options (we promote at our cost, then acquire on consent).
- Promotion agreements (we fund planning, share sale proceeds).
- Joint ventures (including master‑developer models for larger sites).
- Forward funding / forward sale and mixed‑tenure phases.
Why Partner with Us?
- Public‑purpose ethos: Long‑term stewardship, place‑making and social value alongside commercial delivery.
- Two specialist divisions: Lafford Living (private rentals) and Lafford New Homes (private sales), enabling mixed‑tenure delivery.
- Planning & approvals expertise: Experienced teams and trusted consultants to manage applications, conditions and technical approvals.
- Sustainability & BNG: Fabric‑first design and compliance with mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain; strategic landscaping and green infrastructure.
- Partnerships: Open to collaborating with Homes England, local authorities and commercial occupiers to accelerate delivery.
Submit a Site — What to Send
Complete below form with:
- Site location, red line plan and approximate acreage.
- Current planning status and any constraints (designations, covenants, rights).
- Known utilities, access and highways considerations.
- Any technical reports (ecology, ground, flood, transport) and title info.
- Vendor objectives and preferred deal structure.
How We Assess Sites
Our land & technical teams complete an agile due‑diligence review:
- Policy context and deliverability (NPPF, local plan, housing need, employment land evidence).
- Design and capacity testing; access and movement; utilities and phasing.
- Environmental constraints: flood risk, ground conditions, heritage, and biodiversity.
- Viability modelling.
- Programme, infrastructure requirements and section 106/CIL assumptions.
Biodiversity Net Gain & ESG
We design-in green infrastructure and deliver the mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) via on‑site habitat creation or registered off‑site units, secured for 30 years. We follow statutory guidance on land acquisition and local validation requirements and prepare biodiversity gain plans at the appropriate stage.
We also target energy‑efficient homes, and inclusive public realm that supports healthy living and local economies.
Commercial & Mixed‑Use Opportunities
Beyond housing, we are open to commercial and mixed‑use partnerships: local centres, SME workspace, healthcare/education co‑location, and employment land integrated within new communities.
On larger sites, we can structure master‑developer roles to deliver enabling infrastructure, serviced plots and phased commercial districts alongside housing.
Frequently asked questions
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We typically consider sites for 10–200+ homes. Smaller infill plots are also considered where they deliver local value.
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Yes. We acquire with or without consent. For unconsented sites we may propose an option or promotion agreement.
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Focus on Lincolnshire and selected neighbouring districts, aligned to local housing need and infrastructure.
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A red‑line plan, site size (hectares/acres), planning status, ownership, any known constraints, and your preferred deal structure.
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We consider the planning status, planning policy position, indicative density, abnormal costs and local market evidence. Terms reflect risk and delivery strategy.
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Unconditional purchase; conditional contracts (subject to planning); option agreements; promotion agreements; joint ventures; and overage where appropriate.
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Yes. We can structure overage and phased land transfers to reflect future value triggers and infrastructure programming.
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Yes, where introduced. Fees are agreed in Heads of Terms and paid on completion.
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This depends on the deal. Under promotion agreements we typically fund planning and technical work. Under options, responsibilities are agreed in the Heads of Terms.
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Abnormals (e.g., ground remediation, utilities upgrades, drainage) are evaluated during due diligence and reflected in land value and/or conditions.
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Yes. Our design approach plans for on‑site BNG where feasible and secures off‑site units/credits if required by policy.
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We review local catchments, drainage strategies and mitigation early, engaging specialist consultants where needed.
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We assess ransom, easements and rights of way. Where necessary we can negotiate third‑party agreements alongside planning.
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Yes — we respect confidentiality and can sign a standard NDA before you share detailed information.
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For consentable sites with core information, we can typically issue HoTs within 2–4 weeks.
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Exclusivity periods are agreed in Heads of Terms to allow due diligence and legal drafting.
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Each party usually covers its own costs; specific contributions can be agreed depending on the structure and scale.
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Yes. Depending on location and need, schemes may include homes for private sale (Lafford New Homes) and rental (Lafford Living).
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We work with the LPA to agree viable, policy‑compliant obligations, delivering local benefits while maintaining deliverability.
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Energy‑efficient, design‑led schemes aligned to national and local standards; new‑home sales follow the New Homes Quality Code (NHQC).