Planning Permission and Strategy in Hailsham

Sites we take on near Hailsham

In East Sussex, Hailsham lies about 17 miles east of Brighton; its central postcode district is BN27. Close by, our coverage also takes in Eastbourne, Seaford and Bexhill-on-Sea. Hailsham is in the South East region of England.

Typical work around Hailsham: fields that need a masterplan before an application, schemes that need redesigning to work and plots where access or drainage is the sticking point. In England, where Hailsham sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).

Send us the site address near Hailsham and we will tell you what we think the planning route is.

Our approach in Hailsham

Nothing to pay upfront

Where we promote land, we fund the planning work. They are only recovered from the sale proceeds if the land sells with planning permission.

Policy first

We start with the development plan, national policy and the planning history of the site, so the strategy rests on what the council will actually test the application against.

Planned around buildable homes

As part of the S&K Group, a construction and property group, we shape schemes around homes that can be built and delivered, not just consented.

Early engagement

We seek pre-application advice from the council where it is offered, and talk to neighbours and community groups before submitting, so concerns are dealt with early.

Rules that apply in Hailsham

Selling development land in Hailsham 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, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework and the council's Local Plan. Most applications must also deliver biodiversity net gain, and larger schemes usually involve a Section 106 agreement and, where a council charges it, the Community Infrastructure Levy. Permission in principle is an extra route available only in England.

Key rules in Hailsham
National planning policy	National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance
In-principle consent	Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land registration	HM Land Registry
How a sale becomes binding	A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry.

Questions about Planning Permission and Strategy in Hailsham

How do I find out if my land could get planning permission?

Start with the council's development plan, which shows where new homes are supported, and the planning history of the site and its surroundings. Access, flood risk, ecology and heritage also matter. Our free site appraisal reviews these factors and tells you plainly whether we think the land has prospects, and which route to planning would suit it.

What is permission in principle?

Permission in principle is a route in England that settles whether a site is suitable for housing-led development, separately from the technical details, which follow in a technical details consent. It is available only in England. Scotland has planning permission in principle, which works more like an outline permission. Wales and Northern Ireland use outline applications to establish the principle.

How long does it take to get planning permission?

It varies with the size of the scheme, the council's workload and whether a legal agreement is needed. Small schemes usually move faster than major applications, which have longer statutory periods and often need a planning obligation. Pre-application advice and good survey work add time at the start but often save time later. We give you a realistic view for your site.

What happens if planning permission is refused?

You can usually appeal, submit a revised application that deals with the reasons for refusal, or wait for planning policy to change. The right choice depends on the reasons given. We review the decision notice, take specialist advice where needed and explain the options. Under a promotion agreement, further planning work is funded by us on the terms set out in the agreement.

Do you take on planning and building work in Hailsham?

Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership in Hailsham and elsewhere in East Sussex, including Brighton, Hastings and Crowborough. We do not take on planning or building work for third parties as a consultancy.