A strategy for our sites in the UK

[Nadeem Malik]

Hello all,

Thank you all for responding to the latest developments. We have about 30 members recently reactivated (although 575 are officially registered to this group -- most must have discontinued) -- hopefully we will increase as we move forward. To give you an idea, in the WhatsApp UKLI chat group that I belong to, we have about 90 members -- growing daily -- at least 30% increase in the last week alone as news of the new house building initiative in the UK sinks in giving us all renewed hope. So lets us start a conversion for collective action.

The goal is to recover as much of our investments as we can from what we all made roughly 15 years ago. The main stumbling block has been Green Belt regulations which a Tory government was never likely to change. Furthermore, we are all individuals living far from each other and -- let us be frank -- hopelessly disorganized.

What gives as new hope that both of these items have changed. The new Labour government has explicitly prioritized house building, and Green Belt regulations will be relaxed (to some degree). We are more organized than before -- though can and should be done henceforth. In this, fortunately we have other similar groups that are leading the way. 

For example, I also belong to the WhatsApp UKLI chat group and we already have an excel sheet with member details, plot sites, and we have someone is going to write a letter that we all sign and approach property developers and start a dialog with them to sell our plots of land to them. That letter will be shared very soon, and we can at least copy that template for our own sites.

I also think that we should submit letters to the government asking for urgent action for those who were scammed. 

So a strategy would be:

1. Organization

1.1 An overall Guiding Committee for all sites, consisting of a Leader and Assistants.

1.1 Organize ourselves into sub-committees, each dealing with a specific site.

1.2  Each sub-committee to consist of a Site Leader, and Assistants (secretaries, researchers, etc.)

2. Workflow for each sub-committee

 2.1 Find the contact details of property developers (national and local) interested/relevant to your site.

2.2 Write a letter to all such developers -- signed by all members with interest in the site -- asking them about their plans if any for building developments on our site.

2.3 Write a letter to local councils where our site is located asking them assistance and favorable treatment in view of our being defrauded. 

3. Guiding Committee tasks

3.1 Guide, inform, and assist the sub-committees.

3.2 Make a list of members with contact details and site details for each.

3.3 Write a letter to national government, MP's, Peers, etc along the line of 2.3 above asking for assistance in the matter. 

Our aim is to sell our sites to developers -- so that we regain our losses at the very least (but hopefully more than that). 

So let's discuss this matter on this thread in Plot-Owners. (We may opt for a WhattsApp chat group as well -- but since this is already set up, why not use it and keep it.)

Thank you

Best wishes

Nadeem Malik

[Nadeem Malik]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for this input -- sounds like a good plan.

Can you give us a website where such specialist strategic land promotors are listed, or how we can search for them.

Can you give us more details with possible scenario how a site development partnership might proceed -- with estimated costs and percentage, and timeline.

That would be great.

Thank you

Best wishes

Nadeem

From Mark Lahiff (from a previous thread) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dear All,

As a very active property developer (and plot owner), can I make a suggestion.  You need to engage with specialist strategic land promotors (plenty available) who will fund planning promotion and applications in return for a percentage of land value once and if consent is achieved.  No point spending good money after bad and leave it to those that know and understand policy. Large scale planning applications are inordinately expensive and challenging.  

Writing letters is all well and good but they need to be in support of an application with a view to achieving  potential site allocation. All stake holders need to be engaged on a site by site basis. 

If you happen to hold a stand alone plot, not being part of a bigger scheme, then you can always approach the relevant local authority for guidance. 

Good luck. 

Mark Lahiff

Treble-Eight Group

Innova Partnership 

[Nadeem Malik]

Hi,

To fill people in, things are beginning to move apace. One of our chat group members for Layham Farm has potentially found a developer who has shown interest in buy some sites -- not just Layham farm but elsewhere in Northern England.

This  comes with the latest news that the chancellor will force councils to build on "grey" sites, possibly also "green" sites: 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/30/housebuilding-targets-could-force-councils-in-england-to-build-on-grey-belt?CMP=share_btn_url

Regards

Nadeem

[Admin LHF]

Hi Nadeem,

Generally, strategic land buyers will agree to a 80/20 deal, 80% of consented land value to the site owner and 20% to the promoter. They also get to deduct their planning/promotion fees before funds are distributed. 

You need to be mindful as they can ask for promotion agreements to have a 10 year life span, time enough to promote through call for sites or local plan, and time to appeal if consent cannot be achieved locally.  

I can see from one of your other emails that you may have interest from a house builder. In my experience, they won't buy sites 'cold' and will look for an option or exclusivity. You should be able to agree a price per plot based on a range of square footage.

Another thing to point out is the calculation for land value with consent. Deductions will be made for affordable housing (35% unless argued through viability) s106 costs and in some cases CIL. 

I can't give you any names and it would not be appropriate for me to  make recommendations, but just buy a copy of Estates Gazette or Property Weekly. Plenty of house builders and land promotors listed. 

All the best. 

Mark Lahiff

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[Conscious Life Events (Conscious Life Events)]

Hi Nadeem

i purchased a plot in 2001 with Property Spy in Ragged Hall Lane - im keen to join the group and get going with this after all tis time !!

[Conscious Life Events (Conscious Life Events)]

Hi there 

I have just started looking into the plot i purchased back in 2001 with Property Spy on Ragged Hall Lane Chiswell Green 
I emigrated to Australia in 2008 .. after 23 years i thinks its time to start doing something about this ...

Can i ask if anyone else is i your group who purchased in Ragged Hall lane please and can i join your groups please :)

thankyou 

On Friday, July 26, 2024 at 7:30:31 AM UTC+10 Nadeem Malik wrote:

[David Lim]

Didnt receive anymore email. Have you guys stop the process?

David

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