Farmland and paddocks wanted in East Sussex
We are actively looking for farmland and paddocks in East Sussex and the surrounding area, with or without planning permission.
A paddock or field next to a village or town may have development potential, even if it has always been farmed. We assess how the land relates to the settlement, its access and the local plan, then explain which deal would suit.
- Size
- Paddocks to whole farms
- Planning
- Usually without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Option, conditional or JV
Farmland and paddocks we are looking for in East Sussex
East Sussex runs from Brighton and Hove along the coast to Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings, with inland towns such as Lewes, Uckfield, Hailsham and Crowborough. There is no Green Belt, but the South Downs National Park and the High Weald National Landscape cover a large share of the county, squeezing development between protected countryside and the sea. Typical sites are small edge-of-town fields, infill plots, garden land and urban brownfield sites.
- Fields and paddocks adjoining a town, village or suburb
- Land put forward to a local plan or call for sites
- Land let on a farm business tenancy or grazing licence
- Farmland where the owner wants to keep farming meanwhile
Brighton and Hove has very limited land between the Downs and the sea, so redevelopment of commercial buildings, garages and yards is common there. Inland, the A22 and A26 towns and High Weald villages see smaller schemes, where ancient woodland and the historic field pattern are frequent considerations.
Checks we make on farmland and paddocks in East Sussex
Tenancies
Agricultural tenancies affect when vacant possession can be given; we check the type and terms.
Landscape
Protected landscapes and sensitive views limit what may be acceptable.
Best and most versatile land
High-grade agricultural land can be a factor in planning decisions.
In England, the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 17 August 2026 replaced the old "tilted balance" with new settlement policies: development within a settlement should normally be approved unless the harm substantially outweighs the benefits, while land outside a settlement can gain support in defined circumstances.
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.
East Sussex has no designated Green Belt, so the main policy questions near East Sussex are usually the settlement boundary, landscape and access.
Parts of East Sussex fall within South Downs National Park and High Weald National Landscape. Protected landscapes carry strong policy protection, so land in or next to them needs particularly careful assessment.
Farmland and paddocks wanted in towns across East Sussex
Four ways to sell to us
Outright purchase
We agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached.
Outright purchaseSubject-to-planning contract
Works well for smaller paddocks and edge-of-village fields.
Subject-to-planning contractOption agreement
You grant us the right to buy within a set period, usually for an option premium, while we pursue planning.
Option agreementFrom first call to completion
Send the basics
A postcode or plan and a few lines about the land are enough to start.
We do the homework
We check planning history, policy, flood maps and access at no cost to you.
We explain the options
You get a written proposal covering price, structure and timing.
Agree and proceed
Once you are happy, solicitors are instructed and the deal moves forward.
Your questions answered
My land is let to a tenant. Can I still sell?
Usually, yes. The type of tenancy decides how and when possession can be obtained, so we look at the agreement early.
Will I lose my farm payments?
Development land may need to leave a scheme at some point. Check your agreements and take advice; we plan timing around them where we can.
Can an agent introduce land in East Sussex to you?
Yes. Estate agents, land agents and planning consultants can introduce sites with the owner's consent. Any fee is agreed in writing before details are shared, confirmed by the owner in writing and paid only on completion.
Which planning rules apply to land in East Sussex?
As East Sussex is in England, national policy comes from the National Planning Policy Framework, revised in August 2026. Local policies in the council's development plan also apply.