Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Maidstone
Selling farmland or paddocks in Maidstone for development usually means land on the edge of a town or village that could take new homes once planning policy allows. Value depends heavily on planning prospects, so many deals are options or promotion agreements that let you keep farming until permission is granted and the land is sold.
Maidstone · ME14Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
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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
Our coverage in Maidstone
Maidstone (ME14) anchors our coverage of Kent, which takes in 21 other places. Nearby, we also cover Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham, all within 9 miles. Maidstone is part of England’s South East region.
Around Maidstone we look at fields put forward or allocated in the local plan, redundant agricultural buildings and former garage blocks and yards. Because Maidstone is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you own land near Maidstone, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
What we offer in Maidstone
Access kept to retained fields
Deals can reserve access rights, service connections and drainage routes for the rest of your holding, so a new scheme does not cut off fields or buildings you keep.
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.
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.
Overage on paddock sales
If you sell a paddock at its current value, an overage clause can secure a further payment if planning is later granted. We explain triggers, duration and how the obligation is secured.
Planning in Maidstone: 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 Maidstone 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) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
Common questions in Maidstone
Can I keep farming while the land goes through planning?
Yes, in most option and promotion agreements. You stay in possession until the sale, and the agreement sets notice periods before the land is needed. It may restrict new long-term tenancies or works that could affect planning, such as removing hedgerows or trees without agreement.
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.
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.
How do I keep access to the rest of my farm?
Through rights reserved in the agreement and the eventual transfer. These can include a right of way through the new estate road, service connections and drainage routes for retained land. Plan them early, because once a layout is approved it is much harder to add access later.
Do you work with landowners in Maidstone?
We do. We work with landowners in Maidstone and elsewhere in Kent, including Gillingham, Margate and Broadstairs. Send us a postcode and we will start with a free, no-obligation appraisal of what the land could take.
Read more: Sell Farmland and Paddocks · Guide: Green Belt and grey belt land explained