Sell land for affordable homes in Harlow
We consider land for affordable housing in Harlow and across Essex, from sites close to the CM17 postcode district out towards Hoddesdon and Bishops Stortford.
Affordable and social housing is part of the land-to-homes work we're setting out to do. If you own land on the edge of a village and want it to house local people, a rural exception scheme may be the right route.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- No pressure to decide
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Harlow
We'll check the title and planning, then call you.
Land around Harlow
The land we're most interested in near Harlow sits on the edge of the built-up area or in the villages towards Hoddesdon (5 miles) and Bishops Stortford (7 miles).
| Town | Harlow |
|---|---|
| County | Essex |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | CM17 |
| OS grid square | TL41 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Hoddesdon (5 mi), Bishops Stortford (7 mi), Waltham Abbey (8 mi) |
| Distance from Southend-on-Sea | About 31 miles north-west |
| 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 Harlow
- Villages with evidence of local housing need
- Land suitable for a handful of homes up to a small scheme
- Land owned by families, estates, churches or charities
- Sites where a small share of market homes could help viability, where policy allows it
Many landowners like the idea of land helping local families. We explain how exception sites work, what the price is based on and how local need is shown.
How we arrive at a figure for land in Essex
Local policy
Each council sets its own rules for exception sites, including whether any market homes are allowed.
Land price norms
Exception site land is typically priced well above farmland but below open-market housing land.
Scheme size
Exception sites are usually small and proportionate to the village.
Long-term control
Legal agreements keep the homes affordable, often with local occupancy rules.
Ways to sell this land
Outright purchase
Possible once an exception scheme has permission.
Subject-to-planning sale
The usual route: we agree a price and complete when permission is granted.
Option agreements
Useful while housing need is evidenced and a scheme is prepared.
Joint ventures
Can suit estates and charities that want an ongoing say in the homes.
From first call to completion
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
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.
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.
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.
Rural exception sites
The National Planning Policy Framework supports small rural exception sites for affordable homes that meet a local need.
Common problems, and how we handle them
The village has no recent housing survey
Need can be evidenced through a new survey with the parish council and the council's housing team.
You're a charity or trust
Charity trustees usually need advice from a designated adviser before disposing of land. We'll work with your adviser.
Useful to send us
- The address or postcode
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Photos of the land and its access
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
Your questions answered
Can some homes be sold on the open market?
Some councils allow a small number of market homes to make a scheme viable. It depends on local policy.
Who lives in the homes?
Usually people with a local connection who can't afford market housing, chosen under rules set in a legal agreement.
Do you plan affordable housing?
Yes. Affordable and social housing is part of the land-to-homes work the S&K Group is setting out to do, and we can talk through how a scheme on your land might work.
Can you visit land near Harlow?
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.
Also near Harlow
More land we buy in Harlow
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Large strategic sites
- Green belt and grey belt land
- 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 Harlow
- Land for affordable homes in Essex
Get a straight answer about your land
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.