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Sell strategic land and large sites in Rochester

Whether your land is in Rochester itself or in the villages between Rochester and Chatham, we'll look at it properly before making any offer.

Large sites on the edge of towns are where much of the country's new housing ends up. Getting there takes local plan promotion, technical studies and patience, and the deal needs to reflect that.

  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • No pressure to decide
  • Independent advice encouraged

Tell us about your land

Send the postcode and a rough size.

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Free and no obligation. We're the buyer, so there's no commission.

Land around Rochester

The land we're most interested in near Rochester sits on the edge of the built-up area or in the villages towards Chatham (1 mile) and Strood (1 mile).

Metropolitan Green Belt in the west, the Kent Downs and High Weald National Landscapes, and growth around Ashford, Maidstone and the Medway towns.

TownRochester
CountyKent
CountryEngland
Postcode districtME1
OS grid squareTQ76
Nearest towns we coverChatham (1 mi), Strood (1 mi), Gillingham (2 mi)
Distance from MaidstoneAbout 8 miles north
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Aerial view of several farm fields between a market town and a ring road

Land we're keen to see around Rochester

  • Blocks of land of several acres on the edge of towns and larger villages
  • Holdings in a single ownership, or neighbours willing to work together
  • Sites close to schools, shops and public transport
  • Land where a phased scheme could start on a smaller first phase

Strategic land is a long game. We set out the planning route, who pays for what, and how the final price is worked out before you commit to anything.

The things that move our offer

Local plan timing

A site that can be put forward at the next plan review has a clearer route to permission.

Infrastructure

New roads, schools or drainage on a large scheme are paid for out of land value.

Minimum price

A floor price protects you if values fall during a long planning process.

Term length

Longer agreements give more time for planning but tie up your land for longer.

Choosing how to sell

Outright purchase

Rare on unallocated strategic land, but possible at a risk-adjusted price.

Subject-to-planning sale

A fixed or formula price paid once an acceptable permission is granted.

Option agreements

The usual route: an option fee now and a price based on market value later.

Joint ventures

Lets you share in the development value if you can wait for it.

From first call to completion

  1. Tell us about your land

    Send the postcode or address and a rough size.

  2. We check it properly

    Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.

  3. We put an offer in writing

    It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.

  4. Solicitors complete the sale

    Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.

Rules that apply in England

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.

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

Several family members own the land

We can work with all owners and their advisers, and agreements can set out how payments are split.

You are worried about being tied up for years

We agree a term with clear milestones, so the agreement can end if planning stalls.

Useful to send us

  • A rough size, in acres or hectares
  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Your title number, if you know it
  • Details of any tenants or grazing agreements

Common questions

What counts as strategic land?

There's no legal definition. In practice it means larger sites, often over five acres, whose route to development runs through the local plan or a major planning application.

Do I pay for planning on strategic land?

Normally not. Under an option or conditional contract the buyer funds planning and technical work, and recovers those costs from the land price only if the agreement allows it.

Can I farm the land while planning is pursued?

Usually, yes. Agreements normally let you keep using the land until the buyer needs it.

Do you buy land in Rochester?

Yes. We consider land in and around Rochester and across Kent. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, especially its access and planning prospects, and we'll tell you either way.

Also near Rochester

Other land types and routes

Find out what we'd pay for your land near Rochester

A free appraisal tells you what we'd pay and why.

Get an offerCall 0800 088 6248