Farmland and paddocks wanted in Stevenage
Looking to sell farmland and paddocks near Stevenage? We assess every site on its merits and explain the options in plain English.
Agricultural land on the edge of a settlement is one of the main sources of new housing land. We buy and take options on farmland and paddocks, and we work around tenancies, grazing licences and farm schemes.
- 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 Stevenage
Fields that wrap around the edges of Stevenage and its neighbouring villages are the farmland we most want to talk about. Stevenage lies about 9 miles north-west of Hertford in Hertfordshire. We also cover Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Welwyn Garden City and the villages between them.
- 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
Hertfordshire is a county of medium-sized towns, including Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Hitchin, with many villages between them. Most of the county lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt and the Chilterns National Landscape covers the west, so grey belt, previously developed land and infill sites are especially important. Larger growth is usually planned as urban extensions and new communities through local plans.
What decides whether a site in Stevenage works
Relationship to the settlement
Land that reads as an extension of a place is usually more promising than isolated fields.
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.
In England, a planning permission normally has to be implemented within three years unless the council sets a different period, and councils aim to decide minor applications within eight weeks and major ones within thirteen.
Some land in Hertfordshire 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.
Though we are based in Birmingham (roughly 85 miles away), distance is no barrier: we look at land across England and Wales.
How we could buy your land in Stevenage
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
The usual route for larger farmland: you keep farming and we promote the land.
Option agreementJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureHow a sale to us works
Tell us about the land
Use the form or call us with the location and a rough outline of the site.
Free appraisal
We review title, planning and constraints and tell you honestly what we think.
Written offer
If the site suits us, we set out an offer and the way we propose to buy.
Solicitors take over
Your solicitor and ours agree the contract; we keep you informed throughout.
Questions owners in Stevenage ask
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 Stevenage 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.
Do I need to pay anything to have land in Stevenage assessed?
No. Our appraisal is free and there is no obligation to sell to us.