Sell development land in West Sussex
If you're looking to sell development land anywhere in West Sussex, we'll appraise it for free and explain our offer in writing.
If you own a field or site on the edge of a settlement, you may be sitting on land a homebuilder wants. We look at the planning history, access and services, then tell you plainly whether we can make an offer and on what basis.
- Free appraisal and written offer
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
Get an offer for land in West Sussex
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Development land in West Sussex at a glance
The South Downs National Park, Chichester Harbour and High Weald National Landscapes, and water neutrality rules that have affected new homes in the north of the county.
| County | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Towns we cover here | 10 |
| Main town | Crawley |
| Example postcode districts | BN11, BN17, BN43, PO19, PO21 |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
What we look for in West Sussex
- Land that adjoins an existing town, village or housing estate
- Land outside the highest-risk flood zones, or where flood risk can be designed out
- Mains water, drainage and electricity nearby
- Sites allocated, or put forward, in the local plan
- Land with a planning history we can build on, even if earlier applications were refused
Most development land starts life as an ordinary field. What makes it valuable is where it sits: next to existing homes, close to a road, inside or near a settlement boundary. We assess those things first and give you a straight answer.
The things that move our offer
Access
A frontage onto an adopted road removes cost and uncertainty; a third party controlling access can cut value sharply.
Planning obligations
Affordable housing, Section 106 contributions and, in some areas, CIL reduce what a buyer can pay for the land.
Ground and drainage
Poor ground, contamination or the need for a pumping station all add build cost that comes off the land price.
Ecology and trees
Protected species, ancient hedgerows and tree preservation orders can reduce the developable area.
Ways to sell this land
Most development land starts life as an ordinary field. What makes it valuable is where it sits: next to existing homes, close to a road, inside or near a settlement boundary. We assess those things first and give you a straight answer.
Outright purchase
Best where permission is already granted and the title is clean.
Subject-to-planning sale
Lets you lock in a price now that is paid once we secure permission.
Option agreements
Suits larger fields where the planning route may take several years.
Joint ventures
Worth discussing if you want a share of the finished development value.
What happens next
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We check it properly
Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.
You get a written offer
With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.
Solicitors complete the sale
Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.
What England's rules mean for your land
Planning framework
Planning decisions in England follow the National Planning Policy Framework, revised in August 2026, and the local plan, prepared by the council or, in a national park, the park authority. Plans are reviewed periodically, which is when new housing sites are usually allocated.
Green belt and grey belt
Green belt land is protected from inappropriate development. National policy in England also recognises 'grey belt': green belt land that doesn't strongly contribute to key green belt purposes, where housing can be acceptable if further tests are met.
Biodiversity net gain
Under the Environment Act 2021, most developments in England must deliver at least a 10% gain in biodiversity. Since 6 August 2026, sites of 0.2 hectares or less are exempt unless priority habitat is affected.
Section 106 and CIL
Larger schemes often need a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing or contributions, and councils that have adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy charge it per square metre of new floorspace.
Common problems, and how we handle them
The site has been refused planning before
A refusal tells us what the council objected to. We read the decision notice and judge whether a different scheme could answer it.
The access is over someone else's land
We check the title for rights of way and, where needed, factor in the cost of buying or negotiating access.
Useful to send us
- The address or postcode
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
What people ask us about development land
How do I know if my land is development land?
Ask three questions: does it sit next to existing homes, can a car get onto it safely from a public road, and is it outside the worst flood risk? If the answer to all three is yes, it is worth an appraisal. We will tell you honestly if we don't think homes are achievable.
What size of site do you buy?
We look at sites from around a quarter of an acre for a single plot up to large fields on the edge of towns. Size matters less than location, access and planning prospects.
Will I pay any fees to you?
No. We are the buyer, not an agent, so there is no commission. You will normally pay your own solicitor unless we agree otherwise in writing.
Do you buy land in West Sussex?
Yes. We consider land across West Sussex, from Crawley to the smaller towns and villages. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, and we'll tell you either way.
Development land by town in West Sussex
Find out what we'd pay for your land in West Sussex
Send the postcode and a rough size and we'll come back with a straight answer.