Land and new homes in East Sussex
Land to Homes buys land and partners with landowners in East Sussex, then takes suitable sites through planning, design and construction to new homes for sale, for rent and for affordable housing. Landowners start with a free site appraisal; home seekers can register their interest.
East SussexFree site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Land and homes across East Sussex
Across East Sussex, we cover Brighton and 9 other towns, among them Rottingdean, Crowborough and Portslade. Next door, we also cover West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Sites worth a conversation around East Sussex: corner plots and side gardens, large and long rear gardens and former garage blocks and yards. As East Sussex is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you own land near East Sussex, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Services in East Sussex
For landowners
- Sell Land for Development in East Sussex
- Sell Land with Planning Permission in East Sussex
- Sell Land Without Planning in East Sussex
- Land Option Agreements in East Sussex
- Land Promotion Agreements in East Sussex
- Landowner Joint Ventures in East Sussex
- Sell Garden Land and Backland in East Sussex
- Sell Farmland and Paddocks in East Sussex
- Sell Brownfield Land in East Sussex
- Sell an Infill Plot in East Sussex
- Land Assembly and Access in East Sussex
- Free Site Appraisal in East Sussex
- Sell a Building for Conversion in East Sussex
Planning, design and build
- Planning Permission and Strategy in East Sussex
- Architecture and Masterplanning in East Sussex
- New Home Construction in East Sussex
- Serviced Plots for Self-Build in East Sussex
New homes and housing
- New-Build Homes for Sale in East Sussex
- New Homes to Rent in East Sussex
- Affordable Housing in East Sussex
- Social Housing in East Sussex
- Council and Housing Partnerships in East Sussex
Funders and partners
Rules that apply in East Sussex
Selling development land in East Sussex usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
In England, affordable housing on market developments in East Sussex is normally secured through a Section 106 agreement, which sets the number, tenure and transfer of homes to a registered provider. Grant from Homes England can add further homes, and the 2026 to 2036 programme expects at least 60% of funded homes to be Social Rent. Land to Homes can supply land, design and build homes, or deliver completed homes for councils and housing associations.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Land and homes in East Sussex
What is a land promotion agreement?
Under a promotion agreement, a promoter funds and manages the planning process, then markets the land for sale with the landowner once permission is granted. The proceeds are shared under an agreed formula after the promoter's costs. With Land to Homes there is nothing to pay upfront: planning costs are only recovered from the sale proceeds if the land sells with planning.
How is the price of development land worked out?
Development land is usually valued by working back from what the finished homes would be worth, then deducting build costs, infrastructure, planning obligations such as affordable housing, fees, finance and a developer's margin. This is called a residual valuation. We do not quote land values online; our free appraisal explains the factors that affect your site.
What is an option agreement?
An option agreement gives a developer the right, but not the obligation, to buy land within an agreed period, usually once planning permission is granted. The landowner normally receives an option fee, and the purchase price is worked out under an agreed formula. On option agreements with Land to Homes, we pay your reasonable legal fees, agreed up front in the heads of terms.
What is planning permission?
Planning permission is consent from the planning authority to carry out development, such as building new homes or changing the use of land. Applications are judged against the local development plan and national policy, which differ in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Permission can be full, or outline, which is called planning permission in principle in Scotland.
Is East Sussex an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land across East Sussex, including Rottingdean, Seaford and Portslade. Where a site suits us we can buy it directly, or set up an option or promotion agreement. On promotion there is nothing to pay upfront.