Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Accrington
Farming families in Accrington 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.
Accrington · BB5Free 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 sites near Accrington
We cover Accrington as part of Lancashire. It is about 14 miles east of Preston, around postcode district BB5. The nearest other places we cover are Rawtenstall (5 miles), Blackburn (5 miles) and Darwen (6 miles). Accrington is part of England’s North West region.
Sites worth a conversation around Accrington: land that already has planning permission, infill gaps along existing streets and redundant commercial buildings. Planning in Accrington 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 Accrington.
Our approach in Accrington
Farm schemes considered
If the land is in an agri-environment or farm support agreement, taking it out may have consequences, including possible repayments. Check the scheme rules before you sign anything with anyone.
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.
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.
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.
How the rules work in Accrington
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 Accrington 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.
| 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) |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Accrington: questions
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.
What happens to my tenant farmer if I sell for development?
It depends on the tenancy. Some older agricultural tenancies give tenants strong security, while newer tenancies and grazing licences are usually more flexible. Planning permission for a non-agricultural use can sometimes support ending a tenancy, but the rules are technical and specialist advice is essential. We factor the tenancy into any deal.
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.
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.
Is Accrington an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Accrington and elsewhere in Lancashire, including Thornton-Cleveleys, Colne and Chorley. 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.
Read more: Sell Farmland and Paddocks · Guide: Green Belt and grey belt land explained