Foxhole Farm, Bolney – 200 New Homes

When the landowner of Foxhole Farm in Bolney wanted to explore the development potential of their land, Searls Land was appointed to advise on the best route forward. 

For a strategic site such as this, choosing the right promoter is an important decision. The planning process can take a number of years, so it is essential that a landowner appoints a party with the experience, resources and determination to successfully promote the land. 

Rather than negotiating with a single interested party, Searls Land ran a competitive tender process, creating competition between promoters and allowing us to compare both the commercial terms being offered and each party’s proposed strategy for the site. 

Following the tender process and subsequent negotiations, a preferred promoter was selected and terms agreed. 

Securing an Allocation for 200 Homes 

With the land under the promoter’s control, the process of establishing Foxhole Farm as a suitable location for future residential development began. 

This required a long-term approach and continued promotion of the site through the planning process. 

The strategy was successful, with Foxhole Farm securing an allocation for 200 new homes – an important milestone which significantly increased the certainty surrounding the site’s development potential. 

From Allocation to Planning Permission 

Securing an allocation was only part of the process. 

The promoter continued to progress the site through planning, undertaking the necessary technical work and negotiations required to turn the allocation into a deliverable residential development. 

This ultimately resulted in outline planning permission being secured for 200 new homes. 

For the landowner, the site had now progressed from land with potential to a consented residential development opportunity ready to be taken to the housebuilder market. 

Maximising Value at the Point of Sale 

With outline planning permission secured, Searls Land was instructed to market Foxhole Farm on behalf of the landowner. 

Just as we had created competition when selecting the promoter at the beginning of the process, we used the same approach when it came to selling the consented site. 

Following a competitive marketing and negotiation process, Searls Land successfully sold Foxhole Farm to Cala Homes, helping to maximise the value achieved for the landowner. 

Our involvement therefore extended from the very beginning of the promotion process through to the eventual sale – ensuring the landowner had independent advice and representation at each of the key stages where value could be created and protected. 

The Result 

200 new homes | Strategic allocation achieved | Outline planning permission secured | Sold to Cala Homes 

Foxhole Farm demonstrates the value of getting the right advice at the very beginning of the strategic land process. 

Choosing the right promoter is important, but so too are the terms of the promotion agreement, the planning strategy and how the land is eventually marketed once planning permission has been secured. 

At Searls Land, we help landowners through the entire process – from identifying and selecting the right promoter, through the planning journey and ultimately to creating competition between housebuilders when the time comes to sell. 

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