Sell strategic land and large sites in Haywards Heath
We buy strategic land across West Sussex. In Haywards Heath, as everywhere, the offer depends on the land itself: its access, its planning prospects and what can sensibly be built.
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.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Haywards Heath
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Land around Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath lies in West Sussex, roughly 9 miles south-east of Crawley. Nearby, we also look at land around Burgess Hill (3 miles), Crawley (9 miles) and East Grinstead (10 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 | Haywards Heath |
|---|---|
| County | West Sussex |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | RH16 |
| OS grid square | TQ32 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Burgess Hill (3 mi), Crawley (9 mi), East Grinstead (10 mi) |
| Distance from Crawley | About 9 miles south-east |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
What we look for around Haywards Heath
- Blocks of land of several acres on the edge of towns and larger villages
- Land being considered in a local plan review
- Holdings in a single ownership, or neighbours willing to work together
- Land without major heritage, ecology or flood constraints
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.
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.
Four routes to a sale
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.
How a sale works
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.
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
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.
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.
The land is farmed by a tenant
Tenancies need managing before building can start. We look at notice periods and compensation early.
Useful to send us
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Any planning applications or letters
- Photos of the land and its access
Your questions answered
How long do strategic land deals last?
Terms vary with the site and the plan timetable. Several years is common, with options to extend if planning is progressing.
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.
How do I get an offer for land in Haywards Heath?
Use the form on this page or call 0800 088 6248. Tell us the postcode, the rough size and anything you know about planning, and we'll come back to you.
Other land in Haywards Heath
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- 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 Haywards Heath
- Large strategic sites in West Sussex
Find out what we'd pay for your land near Haywards Heath
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.