Land & Brand New Homes is a family run, independent Land Estate Agent business, proud of its achievements since 1991.

Land Estate Agents Sussex

Highly successful and constantly evolving, we advise and provide a breadth of services to developers and landowners on everything to do with the new homes market, including land buying, land sales, new homes consultancy, design and planning, marketing, staffing, sales, customer care, after-sales, PR and investments.

We work in partnership with our clients, since we strongly believe that a single team approach provides both parties with a greater understanding of business objectives, areas of expertise and issues. With this insight, we are able to constantly deliver solutions to our clients.

In 2007 we moved into spacious, modern offices in Worthing, West Sussex, and provide a knowledgeable and experienced team who build lasting and profitable relationships with our clients.


Robert Hilder Profile

Bob Hilder – Co-Owner & Strategic Land Director

Land & Brand New Homes is a specialist strategic land business.  We focus on the delivery of residential planning consents on predominately greenfield sites, and the onward sale to residential developers – local, regional and national. Bob Hilder has over 30 years’ experience in land promotion.  Our policy of working in collaboration with landowners, developers, councils and local stakeholders has given us a first class reputation for bringing forward land for housing. In 2017 alone we successfully negotiated 1153 plots, over several counties. Bob began land-buying in 1988 at McCarthy & Stone, after many years working in Estate Agency in Brighton & Hove, Lewes, and Haywards Heath.

Bob continues to enjoy the challenge and excitement of negotiating land deals in the private and public sector and all the associated technical, legal and environmental issues. Bob explains, “Since 1991, we’ve become a major player in the market. We are recognised for our expertise in identifying new opportunities and working with strategic land clients and developers on promoting and selling land for residential development. Above all, our reputation for honesty, integrity and delivering value to our Clients has enabled us to successfully partner with landowners, and professionals to provide an all-round residential development business embracing brown-field and greenfield sites. The Planning system continues to frustrate and we await Home England’s Land Development and Disposal Plan (LDDP) to deliver landholdings for development and/or disposal over the next 12 months, to help deliver 300,000 homes a year by the middle of the next decade.” All Party Collaboration Bob works collaboratively with landowners to bring forward land to the market with planning consent for housing. Large sites require a mix of property types and sizes, and this aspect is always covered in detail prior to agreeing terms. Land & Brand New Homes identify sites suitable for residential development; depending on the chosen way forward, which is one of several:

  • promotion agreement
  • option agreement
  • conditional or
  • unconditional purchase

Our in-house knowledge, and expertise then springs into action to gain a Planning Consent (outline or full). Target marketing the site ensues, and in the process secures the site for a housebuilder/joint venture offering the best financial return for the landowner. If you think your land may have development potential, please get in touch at 01903 692952. Land & Brand New Homes is co-owned by Robert W Hilder & Heather Hilder-Darling.

Email Bob, bob@rwhilder.co.uk

Heather Profile

Heather Hilder-Darling BA(Hons) FIDM CertMRS MARLA

As a first generation FB (Family Business), we are now well engrossed in our 28th year of residential Land Consultancy. Bob chose not to follow in the footsteps of his father who ran the local baker’s shop in Rottingdean, but decided instead to pursue a career in Estate Agency at the tender age of 16. I enjoyed a short stint in Estate Agency in 1983.  Perhaps it was this, or my parents’ habit of moving us around the country, where my love of property began, and continues to this day.

My first foray into business was during the 1980s when I worked as a Professional Wedding Photographer; I’m rarely found without an iPhone, mini iPad or digital camera, ready to shoot a moment in time, a smile, a gesture, a look or a location. In 1988 Bob changed direction by working for McCarthy & Stone and later Seawards as a Land-Buyer, having tired of Estate Agency. His career took a turn in late 1990 when redundancy struck – and he decided it was time to set up his own land-buying agency. The timing was not great if the truth be told; I was terrified – interest rates at 15%, a huge mortgage hanging over our heads, three children, 2 dogs to feed, and NO regular income. This all coincided with my commencing further education to fulfil a burning wish to earn a Degree, and I headed off to study at Brighton University, where the world of business was opened up to me. After graduating in Business Studies in 1995, I spent the next few years applying my new-found skills to our family business, R W Hilder & Co, as it was then, later to become Land & Brand New Homes Limited, in March 2015. Developing the concept of marketing new homes on the internet back in 2000, we extended our services from on-line listing to Full Agency and Marketing Consultancy including Market Research services, direct marketing and of course, e-marketing. I learnt so much working with Developers on their New Homes sites, understanding their training processes, reporting procedures and customer services. The growth of Direct & Digital Marketing presents opportunities to reach new clients in sophisticated and timely fashion. Property is a passion of mine, from sourcing land to working with Interior Designers, to refurbishment projects. I continue to feel motivated by the business - its challenges, excitement, and growth. We found our feet eventually, and continue to learn. Our complementary skills have resulted in a business to be proud of, winning multiple awards from 2009 – 2018. We have a supporting team around us, all contributing to a land acquisition business achieving plot sales of just under 1,200 annually. Particularly rewarding is the development of staff and we assist readily with personal and career development plans. We are a small, tight-knit team, all focussed on the goals of delivering excellent customer service. Business can be brutal, but it continues to fascinate me. I enjoy all aspects of the marketing mix, and have embraced social media as a means of networking and promoting discussions. Customer Relationship Management is a challenge within B2B and B2C markets and we continue to research technology to facilitate this important side of the business. Our brand is now well recognised and continues to grow. In addition to co-ownership of Land & Brand New Homes, I own and manage Multi Award Winning Callaways Limited, a Sales, Lettings and Property Management business based in Hove, East Sussex. My membership of various networking and professional groups including the Institute of Directors, and Institute of Digital & Direct Marketing provide me with opportunities to meet new people and exchange ideas. I introduced a new monthly club for business owners/entrepreneurs in Hove (Hove Business Owners Success Club) which has been well received. I recognise the value of being a member of various professional groups which offer support and coaching. Relaxation is a round of golf, a walk in our glorious Sussex countryside or along our seafront and continuing to use and improve my language skills. Travel has always been of particular interest and I have some far-away places planned in the years to come!

Email Heather, heather.hilder@rwhilder.co.uk

Call or Email our experienced Land Team in confidence today!