Sell Brownfield Land in Horsham
If you own a redundant commercial site in Horsham, selling it for housing can turn an ongoing cost into a sale. Buyers will ask about past uses, contamination reports, asbestos in buildings and drainage. Land to Homes can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract, and builds clearance and remediation into a clear offer.
Horsham · RH12Free site appraisal
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- 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 we look at around Horsham
In West Sussex, Horsham lies about 7 miles south-west of Crawley; its central postcode district is RH12. The nearest other places we cover are Crawley (7 miles), Horley (11 miles) and Haywards Heath (11 miles). Within England, Horsham falls in the South East region.
Around Horsham we look at land that already has planning permission, farmland next to the settlement boundary and brownfield land in and around Horsham. Because Horsham is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Tell us where your land is around Horsham and we will explain the routes open to you.
What you get in Horsham
Demolition and asbestos
Older buildings often contain asbestos, which must be surveyed and removed by licensed specialists where required before demolition. These costs feed into the price, so an early survey supports a firmer offer.
Loss of employment land
Councils may resist losing business land to housing. Policies vary, so we check whether marketing evidence or a viability case is likely to be needed before any application is made.
Flood risk and drainage
Some brownfield sites sit in flood zones or rely on old drainage. Flood policy may require a sequential test, showing that no suitable sites at lower risk are reasonably available.
VAT on commercial sites
If you have opted to tax the property, VAT may be chargeable on the sale, which affects what a buyer pays. Your accountant should confirm the position before a price is agreed.
How the rules work in Horsham
Selling development land in Horsham 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, councils keep brownfield land registers, and sites on Part 2 of a register can be granted Permission in Principle. The NPPF gives substantial weight to using suitable brownfield land for homes. Contamination is normally handled through planning conditions, following the Environment Agency's land contamination risk management guidance, with Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as a backstop.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| 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. |
Sell Brownfield Land in Horsham: questions
Can I sell a commercial site that still has tenants?
Yes. Many sites sell with tenants in place, and the buyer manages the leases coming to an end. Business tenants can have statutory rights to stay in some cases, so the lease terms and any notices matter. We review the leases and agree timing that works for you and, where possible, for the tenants.
Who pays for contamination clean-up when I sell?
It is negotiated. Usually the buyer allows for remediation in the price it offers, so the cost is reflected in the land value. Contract terms can also deal with environmental liabilities after the sale. Where contamination is serious, environmental law can in some cases leave liability with whoever caused it, so take legal advice.
What counts as brownfield land?
Brownfield, or previously developed land, is land that is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the land around it. Former yards, depots, garage blocks and commercial buildings usually qualify. Definitions vary by nation, and some exclude private gardens, agricultural buildings or sites where earlier remains have blended into the landscape.
What is a garage block worth for development?
It depends on how many homes the plot could take once the garages are cleared, how the garages are currently used, the width of the access and whether any are let. Some garage sites suit a small group of homes or bungalows. We cannot give a value without seeing the site, but our appraisal explains the factors.
Do you buy land in Horsham?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Horsham and elsewhere in West Sussex, including Littlehampton, Crawley and Bognor Regis. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Read more: Sell Brownfield Land · Guide: Green Belt and grey belt land explained