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For landowners · Leicestershire

Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Loughborough

Can I sell a paddock or farmland for housing in Loughborough?

A paddock in Loughborough used for grazing or horses can be worth far more as housing land, but only if planning is realistic. Land to Homes looks at the settlement boundary, access from the road, flood risk and the development plan, then tells you which route gives you the clearest outcome for that field.

Landowner and surveyor at a wooden field gate looking over a paddock behind town gardensLoughborough · LE11

Free 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

Selling land around Loughborough

In Leicestershire, Loughborough lies about 9 miles north of Leicester; its central postcode district is LE11. The nearest other places we cover are Coalville (8 miles), Leicester (9 miles) and Long Eaton (10 miles). Within England, Loughborough falls in the East Midlands region. Loughborough is about 34 miles from our Great Barr head office in Birmingham.

Around Loughborough we look at land that already has planning permission, paddocks on the edge of Loughborough and infill gaps along existing streets. Because Loughborough is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

If you own land near Loughborough, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.

What you get in Loughborough

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.

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.

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.

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.

Planning and land rules in Loughborough

In England, most planning applications for new homes in Loughborough are decided by the local planning authority, usually the council, using its Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. Many landowners sell without planning, either outright or through an option or promotion agreement that funds the application first. Land to Homes offers a free site appraisal, pays your reasonable legal fees on option and promotion agreements, and can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract.

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.

Key rules in Loughborough
Local planning documentLocal Plan
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
How a sale becomes bindingA land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry.

Common questions in Loughborough

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.

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.

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.

What is an overage clause on farmland?

Overage is a promise by the buyer to make a further payment if a defined event happens after the sale, typically planning permission for a more valuable use. It is common when farmland sells at agricultural value. The key terms are the trigger, the share payable, the duration and how the promise is secured.

Is Loughborough an area you cover for land?

Yes, we cover land in Loughborough and elsewhere in Leicestershire, including Market Harborough, Coalville and Wigston. 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

Sell Farmland and Paddocks elsewhere in Leicestershire

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

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