Sell development land in Worthing
We consider development land in Worthing and across West Sussex, from sites close to the BN11 postcode district out towards Shoreham-by-Sea and Portslade.
Selling development land well depends on matching the deal to the planning position. With permission in place, an outright sale is usually simplest. Without it, a conditional contract or option can share the planning risk fairly.
- Free appraisal and written offer
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
Get an offer for land in Worthing
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Where Worthing sits
Worthing lies in West Sussex, about 22 miles south of Crawley. Nearby, we also look at land around Shoreham-by-Sea (5 miles), Portslade (7 miles) and Littlehampton (7 miles).
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.
| Town | Worthing |
|---|---|
| County | West Sussex |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | BN11 |
| OS grid square | TQ10 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Shoreham-by-Sea (5 mi), Portslade (7 mi), Littlehampton (7 mi) |
| Distance from Crawley | About 22 miles south |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
Land we're keen to see around Worthing
- A safe point of access onto a public road, or a realistic way to create one
- Sites from around a quarter of an acre upwards
- Land outside the highest-risk flood zones, or where flood risk can be designed out
- Mains water, drainage and electricity nearby
Selling development land well depends on matching the deal to the planning position. With permission in place, an outright sale is usually simplest. Without it, a conditional contract or option can share the planning risk fairly.
What affects the price
Planning status
Land with an implementable permission is worth far more than land with none, because the biggest risk has gone.
Access
A frontage onto an adopted road removes cost and uncertainty; a third party controlling access can cut value sharply.
Ground and drainage
Poor ground, contamination or the need for a pumping station all add build cost that comes off the land price.
Local sale values
The price new homes will sell for nearby sets the ceiling on what the land is worth.
Choosing how to sell
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.
We put an offer in writing
It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.
Solicitors complete the sale
Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.
Planning and legal points for land in West Sussex
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.
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
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Your title number, if you know it
- Any planning applications or letters
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
Questions from landowners near Worthing
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.
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.
How long does it take to sell development land?
With permission and clean title, a sale can move as fast as the solicitors can complete the legal work. Without permission, timing depends on the planning process, which commonly takes many months and sometimes years for larger sites.
Can you visit land near Worthing?
Yes. Once we've looked at the title and planning position, we arrange a site visit if the land looks suitable. Send the address or postcode to start.
Development land near Worthing
Other land types and routes
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Large strategic sites
- Land for affordable homes
- Farmland and agricultural land
- Paddocks and equestrian land
- Barns and rural buildings
- Building plots
- Garden land and backland
- Infill plots and gap sites
- Small sites
- Garage sites
- Brownfield land
- Redundant commercial and industrial land
- Inherited and probate land
- Landlocked land and access problems
- Outright purchase
- Subject-to-planning sale
- Option agreements
- Joint ventures
- All land in Worthing
- Development land in West Sussex
Ready to talk about your land in Worthing?
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.