Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Eltham
Farming families in Eltham often have one field that could suit homes and want to protect the rest of the holding. Land to Homes shapes deals around that: access to retained land, timing that fits the farming year, and clear terms on tenancies and farm schemes. Every proposal starts with a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Eltham · SE9Free 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 we look at around Eltham
Eltham (SE9) is one of the Greater London towns we cover, about 9 miles south-east of London. If your land sits between towns, Blackheath, Welling and Catford are the closest neighbouring places on our list. Within England, Eltham falls in the London region.
Typical sites we review near Eltham include redundant commercial buildings, brownfield land in and around Eltham and backland plots with a workable access. Planning in Eltham follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.
A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Eltham.
What we offer in Eltham
Keep farming meanwhile
Under an option or promotion agreement, you normally stay in possession and keep farming or grazing until the land is sold, subject to access for surveys and agreed notice periods.
Land quality and flood risk
Planning policy tends to protect higher-grade farmland, and flood zones can rule land out entirely. We check agricultural land quality mapping and flood maps early, before any detailed discussion of terms.
Edge-of-settlement focus
Fields that adjoin existing homes, roads and services have the strongest planning prospects. Isolated fields deep in open countryside rarely suit housing, and if that applies to yours, we will say so.
Tenancies handled carefully
If the land is let, the type of tenancy decides how and when vacant possession can be obtained. We look at the tenancy before proposing any deal and recommend specialist agricultural advice.
Planning in Eltham: the English rules
Whether a field or large garden could take homes depends mostly on the council's Local Plan and national policy. Under the National Planning Policy Framework, plans define settlement boundaries, and land just outside Eltham may still come forward if it is allocated, previously developed or meets evidenced unmet housing need. Smaller housing schemes can also use Permission in Principle, an England-only route that settles location, use and amount first. Our free appraisal explains which route suits your land.
In England, the NPPF asks councils to take account of the value of higher-quality farmland, and Local Plans set settlement boundaries. Agricultural tenancies may fall under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 or be farm business tenancies, each with its own rules. Land in Environmental Land Management or Countryside Stewardship agreements needs checking before it is taken out.
| 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) |
| 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. |
Your questions answered for Eltham
Can I sell a paddock for housing?
Often, if it sits within or next to a settlement and has safe road access. Paddocks behind existing homes are common development sites. Those in open countryside, or with poor access, rarely get permission. We check the development plan and site constraints before suggesting any route or deal structure.
How long does it take to get planning on farmland?
There is no set timescale. A field allocated in a development plan can move to an application relatively directly, while unallocated land may need to wait for the next plan review. That is why options and promotion agreements on farmland usually run over a defined term with a longstop date.
Is agricultural land worth more with planning permission?
Usually much more, because residential land values are generally far higher than farming values. Even without permission, land with realistic prospects can attract hope value. The gap depends on location, how many homes could be built and the costs a builder faces. Our free appraisal explains the factors for your field.
Will selling farmland affect my inheritance tax reliefs?
It may. Reliefs for agricultural and business property depend on how the land is used and held, and selling land or holding cash instead can change the position. These rules have changed recently, so speak to an accountant or tax adviser before agreeing terms.
Do you buy land in Eltham?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Eltham and elsewhere in Greater London, including Barnet, Chalk Farm and Fulham. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Read more: Sell Farmland and Paddocks · Guide: Green Belt and grey belt land explained