Land & Development

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As a land or property owner, you own a valuable asset which could be worth even more than you think.

Have you explored the development opportunities available to you? If you have already applied for planning consent with a view to selling, there could be even more lucrative options open to you that are often overlooked.

Sims Williams specialise in providing landowners like you with unrivalled insight and intelligence and introductions to trusted property buyers and local development specialists.

We help landowners navigate the many pitfalls that can occur when assessing a valued site and share our 40 years’ expertise and experience of dealing with national, regional and local house builders to introduce you to a serious buyer.

1. Has your land got development potential?

Do you own a piece of land or commercial premises?

Do you have a big garden or share a decent-sized plot with your neighbours?

If you think your land could be ripe for development, a quick call to Sims Williams could give you all the answers you need.

Our local land experts will listen to your questions and give you the answers you need to plot the path to the best possible returns.

Find out what development options are open to you and whether it’s worth applying for planning consent at an early stage.

And, if you decide to take things to the next stage, we’ll put you in touch with local developers and housebuilders who you can trust.

Call our Land and New Homes team on 01243 558735 for an obligation-free, confidential chat and let’s get moving.

2. You have applied for Planning Consent

Well done for getting this far!

The Planning process can be stressful and developing a positive relationship with the local authority and understanding how things work alleviates some of the stress.

If necessary, we can connect you with local architects and planning consultants to help keep your plans on the right track and in line with the Local Plan.

We can provide development consultancy advice, including pricing and market research, in readiness for when you obtain planning.

If you are unsure whether you want to develop the site yourself or want to sell the land on, we can explain the pros and cons of both options.

Many house builders will work in partnership with landowners to ensure the planning application represents a development that will appeal to a house builder and ultimately a home buyer.

We work with house builders, planning consultants, architects and developers and it all begins with a conversation.

Contact us today on 01243 558735 for a confidential, no obligation discussion to explore your options.

3. Your Planning Application has been refused

Many planning applications are refused first time, so please don’t give up.

Having a planning application refused can seem like the end of your journey, but it’s often just the start. We can help you take things in a new direction.

We can help you reassess your proposals and help you take things in a new direction.

You may wish to find a buyer who will take on the challenge of getting the planning consent or work with a potential buyer on the basis that, once the planning application is granted, they’ll proceed with the purchase.

You could submit a planning appeal or take a more measured approach and consider the reasons for the refusal. Most planning decision refusal notices will explain the most pressing issues to be overcome and, once these have been dealt with, a subsequent application may not be too harshly contested.

Sims Williams can provide the answers and support you need, and all it takes is a conversation.

Call Sims Williams Land and New Homes team on 01243 558735 today for an informal, no obligation discussion on your options.

4. Your Planning Permission is in place

Well done!

Land with Planning Permission is a hugely valuable and appealing asset to many house builders, developers, or self-builders who typically don’t have the time and resources to speculate on buying land on a ‘subject to planning’ basis.

You may now be considering whether to build the consented scheme yourself or sell the site on.

At this stage, it’s a good idea to get an up-to-date land valuation – one that considers the recently-achieved planning consent – alongside any changes in the local housing market.

This should also include an appraisal on the value of the proposed new build units so that you can understand the gross development value.

You may decide it makes financial sense to cash-out now without undertaking the building work.

Whatever you decide, Sims Williams is here to help and, if you decide to explore selling the land, we have the contacts to know who will offer a good price.

5. Construction works have started on site

With an office dedicated solely to Land and New Homes, Sims Williams will give your development the attention it deserves.

When you work with us, we will make sure every member of our sales team knows your development inside out and that we will promote it at every opportunity.

We will make regular site visits to keep up to date with and monitor the building process.

As one of the area’s leading independent estate agents with over 40 years’ experience, our property marketing is second to none.

Our marketing tools include: –

  • High quality and accurate professional photography.
  • Bespoke property brochures with engaging, well-written property details and floor plans, professionally printed in full colour.
  • 360 degree “Walk through” videos, virtual tours and drone photography
  • Social media “Sneak Previews” teaser posts to build interest
  • Targeted marketing to our buyer database
  • Modern, responsive website and strong presence on Rightmove

Call us today to arrange a free market evaluation and hear more about our unrivalled property marketing services.

Our land development consultancy services

At Sims Williams, we’ve been working with property developers since we opened our first office in 1981.

Our well-earned reputation for great service and unbeatable local knowledge has helped us forge excellent relationships with respected house builders and developers from across the South of England.

Our areas of expertise

We provide on the ground insight and advice that translates into profitable results.

Why Sims Williams?

We are independent estate agents and we’ve been selling and renting property for 40 years. Our highly-experienced and qualified team have exceptional local knowledge and over 300 years of combined property experience. We provide a professional and friendly personal service alongside modern and traditional marketing techniques to get the very best for our customers.

98%

Over 98% of our customers would recommend us to their friends and family

98.3%

98.3% of our customers rated our service as better than other estate agents

40yrs

We’re independent local estate agents with 40 years experience

Our Land and Development Team

Richard
Moores

MNAEA - MARLA

Owner

01243 551368

About Richard…

Richard has been an estate agent for almost 40 years and still feels the same passion and enthusiasm for helping clients buy and sell their homes. Having taken over Sims Williams in 1999, Richard’s knowledge of the towns, villages and hamlets in this beautiful area is second to none. “I really enjoy working with customers on their “property journey” and pride myself on offering practical, honest advice to buyers and sellers alike. Buying and selling a house can be stressful and the high number of glowing testimonials from happy customers is a source of great pride and satisfaction for me and the whole team,” says Richard.

Melinda
Fretter

Land & New Homes Consultant

01243 558735

About Melinda …

Melinda started her estate agency career over 30 years ago and joined the Sims Williams team in 2021 as a Land and New Homes Consultant .  Her role involves identifying potential land opportunities and progressing them through to the sale of the new build developments, whilst at the same time forging strong and long-term working relationships with local landowners and house builders.

Annabel
Eames

Land & New Homes Consultant

01243 558735

About Annabel…

Having worked in London and after running her own business, Annabel has been part of the Sims Williams Team for 11 years. Annabel’s roles within the business have been varied, giving her an all-round understanding of the needs and expectations of our clients. Annabel joined the Sims Williams Land & New Home Team in 2021. Her key role is to identify and monitor all new development applications in the local area.

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What our clients say

The Service Is Always First Class

From initial discussions on suggested property types and values to eventual marketing and sales progression, the service is always first class. Their local knowledge means their valuations are always realistic, well researched and achievable.
Simon Arch – Owner S A Construction Ltd -

Constructive Development Advice

Sims Williams have always provided constructive development advice on various schemes for us. Their local knowledge on both house type demand and suitable blends, together with their extensive research of comparable prices, gives me great confidence in the information they provide.
Jason Osborn Developments Director - Driftstone Homes -

Extensive Marketing & Regular Progress Updates

Sims Williams well researched advice on suitable house types and values, was very much appreciated at the early stages of our development plan. Their extensive marketing and regular progress updates kept us fully informed throughout the process. I would strongly recommend their services.
Jeremy Napthine - Director Salt Earth Limited -

A Really Good Close Working Relationship

Thanks to their unrivalled local knowledge, Sims Williams were able to advise me from an early stage on the most appropriate house styles and sizes for the development. Their marketing of the properties was an excellent balance between online and personal service and exchanging contracts on the final property was the culmination of a really good close working relationship.
Andrew Wilson – Owner Wilson-House Ltd -

Sims Williams Performance Was Far Superior

We recently instructed Sims Williams New Homes on the marketing of one of our new home developments in Climping, West Sussex. It is very fair to say we were extremely impressed with the performance and feedback. and their proactive sales teams were able to find buyers for the remaining units. Richard Moores has a very hands-on approach to his company and is very professional. Their sales progression department kept me fully informed at each stage, from reservation to completion. We would, as a company, recommend Sims Williams New Homes and look forward to delivering more sites which we have coming up.
Michael Hartnett - MJH Executive Homes -

No Hesitation Recommending Sims Williams

Sims Williams have always provided constructive development advice on various schemes for us. Their local knowledge on both house type demand and suitable blends, together with their extensive research of comparable prices, gives me great confidence in the information they provide. Having successfully marketed our Holly Tree Grove development of 7 executive homes, I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of Sims Williams. Their local knowledge, proactive marketing and advice on values was second to none.
Mark Hobden - Director Hanbury Properties Limited -

Local Knowledge - Proactive Marketing - Regular Updates

We instructed Sims Williams to market our Church View development of 6 Village Homes. Their local knowledge and proactive marketing together with regular updates on each of the transactions kept us fully informed throughout the entire process. I’d be happy to discuss any aspect of their involvement personally with anyone concerned.
Tony Harrison - Managing Director Globe Estates (Southern) Ltd. -