Land Option Agreements in Horsham
Think of an option on land in Horsham as a reservation with conditions attached. You agree not to sell to anyone else for a set term. In return, Land to Homes funds the planning work and pays your reasonable legal fees, agreed up front in the heads of terms. If permission is granted, we can buy at the formula price you agreed.
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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
Land and sites near Horsham
About 7 miles south-west of Crawley, Horsham is part of our West Sussex coverage, centred on postcode district RH12. Nearby, we also cover Crawley, Horley and Haywards Heath, all within 11 miles. Horsham is in the South East region of England.
In and around Horsham, the land we appraise ranges from corner plots and side gardens to redundant agricultural buildings, including land that already has planning permission. Planning in Horsham 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 Horsham.
Our approach in Horsham
Keep using your land
You normally stay in possession during the option. Farming, grazing or existing lettings can usually continue, subject to access for surveys and limits on granting new long-term tenancies.
Price set by valuation
The purchase price is usually market value with planning, agreed between the parties or set by an independent surveyor, less a negotiated discount. A minimum price clause can put a floor under the figure.
Planning funded by us
We commission the surveys, design work and planning application at our own cost, and keep you informed at each stage so you know how the planning case is progressing.
Option premium on signing
Many options include a payment when the agreement is signed, in return for tying up the land. Whether it is deducted from the final price is a point to settle in the heads of terms.
Rules that apply in Horsham
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 Horsham 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, an option is usually protected by a notice on your title at HM Land Registry. Planning is pursued through the Local Plan or an application judged against the NPPF, and price deductions often cover Section 106 obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy and, where it applies, the cost of meeting biodiversity net gain.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Land Option Agreements in Horsham: questions
What is an option premium?
It is a payment a developer may make when the option is signed, in return for exclusive rights over the land. The amount varies widely from site to site and is negotiated. Some agreements deduct it from the final purchase price, while others do not, so the heads of terms should say which applies.
Can I sell my land while it is under option?
Not without dealing with the option first. The developer's rights are normally protected against your title, so a buyer would take the land subject to them. Selling to the option holder or negotiating a release are the usual routes. Your solicitor will explain the effect where your land is.
What is the difference between an option and a promotion agreement?
Under an option, the developer buys the land itself at a formula price, so it benefits from a lower valuation. Under a promotion agreement, the promoter sells the land on the open market with you and takes a fee from the proceeds, so both sides want the highest price. Our guide compares the two in detail.
What discount do developers take on a land option?
Options usually include a discount from market value to reflect the developer's cost and risk in securing planning. The level is negotiated case by case and there is no standard figure. Compare it alongside the deductions, minimum price and term, because a modest discount can be undone by wide deductions.
Is Horsham an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Horsham and elsewhere in West Sussex, including Haywards Heath, Bognor Regis and East Grinstead. 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: Land Option Agreements · Guide: How to sell land for development