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For landowners · Surrey

Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Farnham

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

A paddock in Farnham 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.

Aerial view of open farmland with hedgerows on the edge of a townFarnham · GU9

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

Land we look at around Farnham

We cover Farnham as part of Surrey. It is about 10 miles west of Guildford, around postcode district GU9. The nearest other places we cover are Aldershot (3 miles), Fleet (5 miles) and Farnborough (6 miles). Within England, Farnham falls in the South East region.

Typical sites we review near Farnham include land behind street frontages, redundant agricultural buildings and brownfield land in and around Farnham. In England, where Farnham sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).

A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Farnham.

Why work with Land to Homes in Farnham

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.

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.

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.

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.

How the rules work in Farnham

In England, most planning applications for new homes in Farnham 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 Farnham
Local planning documentLocal Plan
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land registrationHM Land Registry
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Farnham: 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.

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.

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.

Do you buy land in Farnham?

Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Farnham and elsewhere in Surrey, including Leatherhead, Esher and Camberley. 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: Biodiversity net gain for landowners: what it means for your land

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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