Joint venture for land in Cambridgeshire
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
A landowner joint venture is a partnership where the owner contributes land and we fund and manage planning and delivery, with the proceeds shared on an agreed basis after agreed costs are recovered. It can unlock more value than a sale but involves more risk, longer timescales and closer involvement.

Joint venture for land in Cambridgeshire
We use joint ventures for suitable land across Cambridgeshire. Cambridgeshire combines the fast-growing Cambridge area and Peterborough with Fenland market towns such as Wisbech, March and Ely and the towns of St Neots, Huntingdon and St Ives. A Green Belt surrounds Cambridge, while much of the north lies in the low-lying Fens, where flood zone status is often the deciding factor. Typical sites include edge-of-village land, former agricultural yards and larger strategic land promoted for new communities.
Water supply and wastewater capacity have been recurring issues for growth around Cambridge, and Fenland sites usually need careful flood risk evidence. Away from the city, small sites on the edges of villages and market towns along the A14, A10 and A1 corridors are a common source of new housing land.
Since 6 August 2026, non-major development on sites of 0.2 hectares or less in England has generally been exempt from mandatory biodiversity net gain, unless priority habitat is affected. That makes many small sites simpler to bring forward.
In England, a planning permission normally has to be implemented within three years unless the council sets a different period, and councils aim to decide minor applications within eight weeks and major ones within thirteen.
Some land in Cambridgeshire is designated Green Belt. If your land is within it, it may still qualify as grey belt or previously developed land under national policy, subject to the Golden Rules.
In short: you contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed. It usually suits owners of larger or well-located sites; landowners who want a long-term interest; sites where a sale would undervalue the long-term potential. See how a joint venture works for the full process, pros and cons.
Land in Cambridgeshire that often suits a joint venture
WantedResidential development land
Sites on the edge of Cambridge or the villages nearby can be worth a conversation, especially where they are well connected by road and bus or rail. For owners who want to share in the value of the finished homes.
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WantedLand without planning permission
Near Cambridge, land without planning is worth discussing where it adjoins existing homes or has been put forward to the council's plan. For owners who want a bigger share of the upside in return for more risk.
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WantedFarmland and paddocks
Around Cambridge, paddocks and fields beside existing homes can have real potential, even where they have been grazed or farmed for generations. Suits owners who want to stay involved and share the upside.
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WantedGreen Belt and grey belt land
Green Belt edges in Cambridgeshire vary a great deal, so we assess each parcel against the national tests before suggesting a deal. Possible for larger parcels where owners want to stay involved.
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WantedSmall sites
We want to hear about plots for a few homes anywhere around Cambridge, including ones a larger builder has already turned down. Possible if you want a share of the finished homes.
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WantedBarns and rural buildings
We look at barns and rural yards around Cambridge and give a straight view on whether conversion or replacement is realistic. Possible for larger farmyards.
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WantedSites with lapsed or refused planning
If a scheme near Cambridge was refused or ran out of time, the officer's report usually shows what a better application would need. Possible where owners want to share the upside of a better scheme.
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WantedAllocated and promoted land
We are interested in land around Cambridge at any plan stage, from a first submission to an adopted allocation. For owners of larger allocations who want to share in delivery.
Learn moreTowns we cover in Cambridgeshire
Joint venture: questions
Do I need to put money in?
Not usually. In most landowner joint ventures the land is the owner's contribution and we fund the costs, which are recovered from the proceeds before profit is shared. Structures vary.
How are profits shared?
By agreement. Common models include a priority return for the land followed by a share of profit.
Is a joint venture right for me?
It suits owners comfortable with more risk and a longer timescale. We will say if a sale or option looks a better fit.
Do you use joint ventures for land in Cambridgeshire?
Yes. We use joint ventures across Cambridgeshire and the rest of England, where the structure suits the site and the owner.
