Buying Council Land

How to buy council-owned land.

Submit your application in writing to: property@midsussex.gov.uk

Please tell us:

• Where the land is - including a map of the area with the land highlighted
• Why you wish to buy the land
• What you will use the land for

Payment:

An administration fee of £100 is charged for every application - if you are successful or not.

Please note: The fee is non-refundable. It also does not guarantee that the application will be approved.

What happens next?

The Estates department will examine the enquiry and consult with the relevant departments of:

• The Council
• Elected members
• Other interested stakeholders such as your neighbours - if necessary

This process will take approximately 12 weeks - but may take longer.

Mid Sussex will decide to sell or keep the land.

If it is sold - the land and any buildings on it will be put on the open market.

We will seek to get the best price. This means that somebody else may buy the land if they put in a higher offer.

Please note: The Council will not sell or lease any land (and/or property) that it holds for strategic and investment or other purposes.

Additional costs

Payments and fees paid in addition to the cost of buying the land.

You will be expected to pay:

• The Council’s legal and surveyor’s fees
• All other fees not associated with the council - such as your own solicitor’s fees

Advertising costs

Public Open Space

The Local Government Act 1972 requires us to advertise the disposal of Public Open Space in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks.

This is to see if there are any objections to the land being sold. These will have to be taken into consideration.

If the land you wish to buy is classified as a Public Open Space you will need to pay for the cost of this advertising.

Covenants

A covenant is 'an existing agreement'.

There may be restrictive covenants on the land from a prior owner and the Council may need to seek permission to release these covenants before proceeding.

You may incur an additional fee from the prior owner for this process.

Before you submit your application:

Please contact our Planning Department if your request to purchase land means changing the use of the land - for example from open space to private garden land.

Please note: 'Mid Sussex District Council as land owner' is different from 'Mid Sussex District Council as the local planning authority'.

This means that although you may be granted planning permission - your application to 'Mid Sussex District Council as land owner' may still be refused.

Email: planninginfo@midsussex.gov.uk

It is important to note that 'Mid Sussex District Council as land owner' is different from 'Mid Sussex District Council as the local planning authority'.

If you are given planning permission, this does not guarantee that your application to the 'Council as landowner' will be approved.

Mid Sussex Property
Email: property@midsussex.gov.uk

The Land Registry
Tel: 0844-892-1111
Website: The Land Registry