Section 75 Reduction

Section 75 obligations are often the difference between a scheme that works and one that doesn’t. Affordable housing, education, transport and open space contributions can add hundreds of thousands of pounds to a development before a single home is built.

We assess whether what the planning authority is asking for is actually supportable by the site, build the viability evidence, and negotiate the obligation down.

How we approach it

Viability appraisal. We appraise the scheme properly: land value, build costs, sales values, finance and programme. The appraisal shows what the site can genuinely carry, and it is the evidence everything else rests on.

Negotiation with the planning authority. We put the case to the case officer and the policy team. Where the appraisal is sound and the assumptions are defensible, authorities will move.

Securing the reduction. We get the position agreed in writing before consent wherever possible. Where an agreement is already registered, we advise on modifying or discharging it.

When to bring us in

Before you buy. The obligation affects what the land is worth, so it belongs in your offer rather than in a surprise after you have committed.

At application stage. It is considerably cheaper to negotiate the obligation before consent than to renegotiate afterwards.

After consent. Registered agreements can be modified or discharged where circumstances have changed.

On a stalled site. Where the obligation is the reason a consented scheme has not been built.

Where we work

Across Scotland, including Glasgow, North and South Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Stirling, Fife, Perthshire and Edinburgh.

Talk to us about your scheme

Send us the site, the consent position and what the authority is seeking, and we will tell you whether there is room to move.