Sell land without planning permission in East Sussex
Owners of land without planning permission in East Sussex can sell directly to us, whether the land is near Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings or in the villages between.
Most land for sale has no planning permission. That does not stop a sale; it changes how the deal should be structured so the planning risk is shared sensibly.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in East Sussex
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Land without planning permission in East Sussex at a glance
Much of the county lies in the South Downs National Park or the High Weald National Landscape, which limits greenfield development outside the towns.
| County | East Sussex |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Towns we cover here | 10 |
| Main town | Brighton |
| Example postcode districts | BN2, BN3, BN21, BN25, BN27 |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
What we look for in East Sussex
- Fields and paddocks on the edge of settlements
- Land inside or touching a settlement boundary in the local plan
- Sites the council has assessed in its land availability study
- Land with a road frontage or a clear way to create access
- Former orchards, nurseries and smallholdings
If you'd rather not wait for planning, an outright sale gives certainty now. If you can wait, a subject-to-planning or option deal usually pays more in the end.
What decides the value of land without planning permission in East Sussex
Current use value
Agricultural or amenity value is the floor under any offer.
Local plan position
Land allocated, or close to being allocated, for housing carries far more hope value.
Planning history
Past refusals and appeal decisions on the site and its neighbours shape the odds.
Deal structure
Conditional and option deals can pay more because the price is fixed against value with permission.
Four routes to a sale
Without consent, land is valued on its current use plus whatever hope value its location supports. We will explain how much of our offer is each, so you can see what you are being paid for.
Outright purchase
Certainty now, at a price that reflects the planning risk we take on.
Subject-to-planning sale
We exchange contracts now and complete once permission is granted.
Option agreements
We pay for the right to buy later and fund the planning work meanwhile.
Joint ventures
You keep a stake and share in the value planning creates.
From first call to completion
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We do the homework
We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.
You get a written offer
With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.
The legal work
Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.
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.
Farm tenancies
Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies have their own notice and compensation rules, which affect when land can be developed.
Awkward details we deal with
The council says the land is outside the settlement
Settlement boundaries change when plans are reviewed. We look at the plan timetable and whether the site could be promoted at the next review.
You don't want to wait years
Then an outright sale at a lower, risk-adjusted price may suit you better, and we will say so.
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 in East Sussex
Who pays for the planning application?
On subject-to-planning and option deals we normally fund the planning work. On an outright purchase it is our risk and our cost after completion.
Will getting permission myself increase the price?
It can, but applications cost money and carry risk. We can talk through whether it makes sense for you to apply or for us to do it under a contract.
Do you buy land in the green belt?
Sometimes. Green belt land is hard to develop, though England's planning policy now recognises 'grey belt' land. We will tell you frankly whether your site has a realistic prospect.
Do you buy land in East Sussex?
Yes. We consider land across East Sussex, from Brighton to the smaller towns and villages. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, and we'll tell you either way.
Land without planning permission by town in East Sussex
Find out what we'd pay for your land in East Sussex
Send the postcode and a rough size and we'll come back with a straight answer.