Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Haywards Heath
Farming families in Haywards Heath 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.
Haywards Heath · RH16Free 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 Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath sits about 9 miles south-east of Crawley in West Sussex, in the RH16 postcode district. If your land sits between towns, Burgess Hill, Crawley and East Grinstead are the closest neighbouring places on our list. Haywards Heath is in the South East region of England.
In and around Haywards Heath, the land we appraise ranges from corner plots and side gardens to brownfield land in and around Haywards Heath, including infill gaps along existing streets. As Haywards Heath is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you own land near Haywards Heath, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Our approach in Haywards Heath
Fees covered on options
On option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees, with the amount agreed up front in the heads of terms, so specialist rural legal advice is within reach.
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.
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.
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.
Rules that apply in Haywards Heath
Selling development land in Haywards Heath usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
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.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Haywards Heath: questions
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.
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.
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.
Do you work with landowners in Haywards Heath?
We do. We work with landowners in Haywards Heath and elsewhere in West Sussex, including Littlehampton, Burgess Hill and Chichester. 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