Typical Landowner Scenarios 

Willow Banyan is a newly established land advisory. While I am in the early stages of building a project portfolio, my focus is on providing thoughtful, independent advice and careful representation to landowners considering their options. 

These are representative scenarios showing the types of situations I help landowners think through. Each site is different, and advice is always tailored. 

Scenarios

1. Edge-of-settlement land with uncertain planning prospects

Scenario:

A landowner owns land close to a village or town boundary and wants to understand whether development might be realistic now or in the future.

How I help:

• Review local planning policy and settlement boundaries

• Identify key constraints and opportunities

• Discuss timing, risk, and realistic expectations

• Help the landowner decide whether to wait, promote, or do nothing

2. Land with potential but no clear strategy

Scenario: 

A family owns land but is unsure whether promotion, an option agreement, or an outright sale would best suit their circumstances.

How I help:

• Explain different routes in plain English

• Compare pros, cons, and risk profiles

• Align strategy with family priorities, not just value

• Help landowners make an informed choice before engaging third parties

3. Small or awkward sites

Scenario: 

Land that is irregularly shaped, landlocked, constrained, or previously overlooked.

How I help:

• Sense-check viability and constraints early

• Explore whether creative design or planning strategy could help

• Advise honestly if a site is unlikely to be suitable

• Avoid unnecessary professional costs where possible

4. Sites with planning history or refusals

Scenario: 

Land that has been refused planning in the past or carries planning “baggage”.

How I help:

• Review previous decisions and objections

• Identify what has changed (or hasn’t)

• Discuss whether a revised approach is sensible

• Help decide whether further work is justified

5. Permitted development or alternative use potential

Scenario: 

Buildings or land where permitted development or change of use might apply.

How I help:

• Initial sense-check of PD or alternative use routes

• Flag key risks and requirements

• Coordinate specialist advice if needed

• Ensure expectations are realistic before money is spent

6. Succession, retirement, or family transition

Scenario: 

A farming family considering how land value might support retirement or the next generation.

How I help:

• Clarify options without pressure to proceed

• Help balance financial, family, and emotional factors

• Support conversations where interests differ

• Keep decisions aligned with long-term legacy

7. Landowners unsure who to trust

Scenario: 

A landowner has been approached by developers or agents and wants an independent view before responding.

How I help:

• Act as a sounding board

• Explain what’s reasonable and what isn’t

• Help landowners ask better questions

• Reduce the risk of poor early decisions

8. Early-stage feasibility before committing costs

Scenario: 

A landowner wants an early indication of whether further surveys, planning work, or promotion costs are worth pursuing.

How I help:

• High-level appraisal and sense-check

• Identify key “deal breakers” early

• Help prioritise next steps (or stop)

• Protect landowners from unnecessary spend

9. Land that needs coordination, not rushing

Scenario: 

Land where multiple advisers may be involved (planning consultant, surveyor, solicitor), but no one is overseeing the bigger picture.

How I help:

• Act as a central point of coordination

• Keep strategy aligned across disciplines

• Translate technical input into clear decisions

• Ensure landowner interests remain front and centre

10. “Is this worth doing at all?” conversations

Scenario: 

A landowner simply wants an honest conversation, not a sales pitch.

How I help:

• Listen first

• Be clear about uncertainty and risk

• Say when something doesn’t stack up

• Leave landowners better informed, regardless of outcome