Folders Lane, Burgess Hill – 18 New Homes

When a longstanding client of Searls Land successfully assembled a development opportunity to the rear of 62–68 Folders Lane in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, they recognised the potential to deliver a residential scheme in a highly desirable location. 

The site had been assembled through an option agreement incorporating an existing house and several adjoining gardens, creating an opportunity for a development of 18 new homes, including 6 affordable dwellings. 

Our client had begun preparing a detailed planning application but recognised that the scale of the proposed development was beyond what they wished to deliver themselves. 

With extensive experience in the Burgess Hill market and established relationships with housebuilders active across Sussex, Searls Land was appointed to identify the most suitable development partner and devise a marketing strategy that would maximise value for all parties involved. 

Creating Competition Through a Targeted Marketing Strategy 

Rather than launch the site to the entire housebuilding market, we recommended a carefully managed, informal competitive process targeting a shortlist of selected purchasers. 

Our strategy was designed to strike the right balance between exclusivity and competition. 

By approaching a limited number of housebuilders whose requirements closely matched the opportunity, we ensured each party recognised they had been specifically selected to participate, while remaining fully aware that they were competing against other credible purchasers. 

This approach encouraged meaningful engagement, competitive offers and a strong commitment from the interested parties. 

Our detailed understanding of the local market, combined with our knowledge of individual housebuilders’ acquisition requirements, allowed us to identify purchasers with the financial strength, experience and appetite to deliver the proposed scheme. 

Following the competitive process, Riverdale Homes emerged as the preferred purchaser, offering the right combination of commercial terms and deliverability. 

The land sale subsequently progressed to a successful completion, providing our client with a positive outcome and securing an experienced housebuilder to take the development forward. 

Delivering the Affordable Housing Requirement 

Our involvement did not end with the successful land sale. 

With the proposed development incorporating 6 on-site affordable homes, Searls Land was retained in an advisory capacity to identify and secure a suitable registered housing provider to acquire the affordable housing element of the scheme. 

Affordable housing can represent a significant consideration in residential development transactions, with the choice of provider, commercial terms and contractual structure all having an impact on the overall viability and delivery of a development. 

Drawing on our established relationships within the affordable housing sector, we engaged with suitable housing associations to establish interest and identify the most appropriate partner for the scheme. 

Following this process, Worthing Homes was identified as the preferred provider, offering an acceptable commercial package for the 6 affordable dwellings. 

We assisted in progressing negotiations, resulting in a turnkey contract being exchanged within a short timeframe. 

This secured an appropriate affordable housing partner for the development and provided greater certainty over the delivery of an important element of the scheme. 

Adding Value Beyond the Land Sale 

The Folders Lane transaction demonstrates why specialist development land advice extends far beyond simply introducing a purchaser and negotiating a sale price. 

From advising on the most effective marketing strategy and identifying a suitable housebuilder through to securing a housing association for the affordable homes, Searls Land provided expertise across multiple stages of the development process. 

Our involvement helped bring together the different parties required to deliver the scheme, ensuring that both the private residential development and affordable housing elements were supported by suitable commercial arrangements. 

Understanding how landowners, developers and affordable housing providers operate is essential to delivering successful residential development transactions. 

By combining detailed local market knowledge with established relationships across the housebuilding and affordable housing sectors, we were able to provide a coordinated approach that delivered value and certainty for our client. 

The Result 

18 new homes | 6 affordable homes | Land sold to Riverdale Homes | Affordable housing contract secured with Worthing Homes 

The successful transaction at Folders Lane highlights the breadth of expertise required to bring residential development opportunities forward. 

For our client, Searls Land delivered a carefully targeted competitive sales process, secured a credible housebuilder and subsequently negotiated an affordable housing agreement with a suitable registered provider. 

The result was a successful land sale, followed by the swift exchange of a turnkey affordable housing contract, helping provide commercial certainty for the scheme. 

This case study demonstrates the advantage of working with an agent who understands the development land market in its entirety, rather than focusing solely on the initial land transaction. 

At Searls Land, we work solely in the development land market, advising landowners and developers on land assembly, disposal strategies, housebuilder selection and affordable housing transactions. 

Our specialist knowledge, local experience and established industry relationships allow us to identify opportunities, create competition and deliver successful outcomes across every stage of the development process. 

If you own land with development potential in Sussex, Surrey or across the South East, speak to Searls Land before agreeing terms. You only sell once. Be sure you’re getting the right price.