Vicarage Wood: Off-Market Land Sale & Residential Development, Brentwood, Essex

The Beresfords’ Land team successfully identified and secured an off-market land opportunity in Brentwood, negotiating a sale on behalf of a private landowner and guiding the transaction through a complex and lengthy process to exchange of contracts, while also delivering additional value through the sale of extra land.

Located on Wigley Bush Lane in a highly sought-after area of Brentwood, the land known as French’s Farm offered clear potential for residential development. The site was not formally on the open market and there was no initial intention to sell, making the opportunity particularly sensitive and discreet.

The landowner wished to explore the potential of the site without committing to an open-market sale. Their priority was to ensure the land was sold to a suitable purchaser, while maximising overall value and retaining flexibility throughout the process.

Our specialist Land team provided strategic advice from the outset, advising on market positioning, developer appetite and an off-market disposal strategy. We carefully identified a developer aligned with the scale and quality of development appropriate for the site and managed negotiations through a prolonged and complex process.

Following exchange of contracts, the development at Vicarage Wood commenced with a formal groundbreaking ceremony. The scheme will deliver eight high-quality, sustainable four-bedroom homes within a private, gated setting.

The off-market strategy enabled a successful sale to a suitable developer, with contracts exchanged following a detailed and carefully managed process. In addition to the primary land sale, further land was sold on behalf of the vendor, significantly enhancing the overall outcome.

This transaction demonstrates the importance of experienced land advice, particularly where opportunities are not openly marketed. By identifying off-market potential and managing complex negotiations, landowners can achieve stronger results.

If you own land in Essex and are considering selling — whether on or off the market — our experienced Land team would be pleased to help.