Outright purchase for land in West Sussex
We agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached.
An outright purchase is a straightforward sale: we agree a price, carry out due diligence, exchange contracts and complete, without waiting for planning permission. It gives a landowner certainty and speed, and suits land with planning permission or a clear planning route.
Outright purchase for land in West Sussex
We use outright purchases for suitable land across West Sussex. West Sussex includes Crawley, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Chichester and the coastal towns of Worthing, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Shoreham-by-Sea and Lancing. It has only a very small area of Green Belt on the Surrey border, but the South Downs National Park and the High Weald and Chichester Harbour National Landscapes cover large parts. Typical sites include edge-of-town fields, farm buildings, infill plots and urban brownfield land.
Water neutrality advice that held up many schemes around Crawley, Horsham and Chichester was withdrawn from 1 November 2025, though water efficiency remains important. Chichester Harbour and the coastal plain bring flood risk and mitigation considerations, while the Brighton Main Line and A23 corridor focus growth around Crawley and Burgess Hill.
The August 2026 NPPF supports homes within reasonable walking distance (around 800 metres) of well-connected railway stations, with minimum densities of 35 homes per hectare, or 45 near higher-frequency stations.
Since 6 August 2026, non-major development on sites of 0.2 hectares or less in England has generally been exempt from mandatory biodiversity net gain, unless priority habitat is affected. That makes many small sites simpler to bring forward.
Some land in West Sussex is designated Green Belt. If your land is within it, it may still qualify as grey belt or previously developed land under national policy, subject to the Golden Rules.
Parts of West Sussex fall within South Downs National Park, High Weald National Landscape and Chichester Harbour National Landscape. Protected landscapes carry strong policy protection, so land in or next to them needs particularly careful assessment.
In short: we agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached. It usually suits land with outline or full planning permission; brownfield and redundant buildings with a clear route; owners who want certainty and a clean break. See how an outright purchase works for the full process, pros and cons.
Land in West Sussex that often suits an outright purchase
WantedLand with planning permission
For consented land around Chichester, the first things we read are the decision notice, the conditions and any legal agreement attached to the permission. The usual route for consented land: an agreed price and a straightforward sale.
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WantedLand without planning permission
Plenty of land around Chichester has never had permission. What we look for first is whether new homes would fit with the existing pattern of the place. Possible where we are comfortable taking the planning risk ourselves.
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WantedBrownfield land
Former works, depots and yards in and around Chichester can make good housing sites once the ground and neighbouring uses are understood. Common for brownfield, with contamination and demolition allowed for in the price.
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WantedInfill plots
Infill gaps in Chichester's established streets can be among the easiest small sites to bring forward when the design respects the neighbours. Straightforward where consent exists or the case is strong.
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WantedGarden and backland plots
In parts of Chichester with long gardens or rear lanes, backland plots can work well if the access is wide enough and neighbours are treated fairly. Possible where consent already exists.
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WantedFarmland and paddocks
Around Chichester, paddocks and fields beside existing homes can have real potential, even where they have been grazed or farmed for generations. Possible for land with a clear planning route.
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WantedGarage courts and yards
Across Chichester, lock-up blocks that are half empty can be a better use of land as homes, with parking handled sensibly. Common where the planning case is clear.
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WantedSites with lapsed or refused planning
Sites around Chichester with an old refusal can be worth a second look, especially where local or national policy has since changed. Possible where the fix is clear and low risk.
Learn moreTowns we cover in West Sussex
Outright purchase: questions
Do you need to survey the land first?
We usually carry out some checks before exchange, such as title review, searches and, where relevant, ground or ecology surveys.
Will you pay a deposit?
Deposits on exchange are common and are agreed as part of the heads of terms.
Is an outright purchase always quicker?
Usually, but timing still depends on title, searches and both sides' solicitors.
Do you use outright purchases for land in West Sussex?
Yes. We use outright purchases across West Sussex and the rest of England, where the structure suits the site and the owner.