Principal Land & Planning is a pro-active and innovative property development company, very much grounded in solid experience and with an iron cast reputation for honesty, integrity, professionalism and proven results.
We specialise in both residential and affordable housing in addition to having a strong background in care and nursing home development.
Principal Land & Planning is a pro-active and innovative property development company, very much grounded in solid experience and with an iron cast reputation for honesty, integrity, professionalism and proven results.
We specialise in both residential and affordable housing in addition to having a strong background in care and nursing home development.
In your dealings with our Company you can take as given those three pillars of success:
Experience – the three directors have a combined experience at the workface of nearly a century.
Trustworthiness – we firmly believe that every deal should be one of success for every party involved.
Funding – Principal L&P is backed by strong and provable funds.
The Team
Principal L&P brings together a wealth of experience. Our directors have nearly a century of combined expertise on the ground, ensuring we understand the challenges and opportunities that property development represents.
We believe in building trust through transparency and shared success. That's why every deal we make is designed to benefit all parties involved. Additionally, Principal L&P is backed by secure and verifiable funding, allowing us to confidently partner with you to achieve a successful outcome for all involved.
Richard Rowsell MRICS
Land & Sales
Richard is a qualified chartered surveyor with a proven track record in the residential land market. For nearly 30 years, he has held leadership positions at large PLCs like Berkeley Homes and served as Managing Director of several SMEs. He is highly respected within the industry and boasts a substantial network of contacts in the agency field and beyond.
Patrick Duffy
Build and Technical
Patrick has owned and operated Building, Design and Technical Service Companies within the construction sector for over 30 years, earning him vast knowledge and experience in all disciplines of development. He has completed award winning residential and commercial developments across the UK and has a sound reputation for quality and delivery. These qualities allow Patrick to identify and understand the complexities and viability of potential schemes.
John Bell B(Arch), MSc, RIBA
Design
John is an award winning chartered architect with over 20 years’ experience working across the UK. John is also the Managing Director of his own architectural practice, which in turn provides additional resource to the Principal Land & Planning team. His extensive knowledge enables him to continually achieved Planning Permission on sites that both meet the requirements of each stakeholder, whilst maintaining buildability and construction at the forefront of the opportunity.
Richard Rowsell MRICS
Land & Sales
Richard is a qualified chartered surveyor with a proven track record in the residential land market. For nearly 30 years, he has held leadership positions at large PLCs like Berkeley Homes and served as Managing Director of several SMEs. He is highly respected within the industry and boasts a substantial network of contacts in the agency field and beyond.
Patrick Duffy
Build and Technical
Patrick has owned and operated Building, Design and Technical Service Companies within the construction sector for over 30 years, earning him vast knowledge and experience in all disciplines of development. He has completed award winning residential and commercial developments across the UK and has a sound reputation for quality and delivery. These qualities allow Patrick to identify and understand the complexities and viability of potential schemes.
John Bell B(Arch), MSc, RIBA
Design
John is an award winning chartered architect with over 20 years’ experience working across the UK. John is also the Managing Director of his own architectural practice, which in turn provides additional resource to the Principal Land & Planning team. His extensive knowledge enables him to continually achieved Planning Permission on sites that both meet the requirements of each stakeholder, whilst maintaining buildability and construction at the forefront of the opportunity.
What We Do
We undertake to quickly form an opinion on any potential land site you send to us and to revert to you within days and in detail as to our thoughts. If it’s of interest, we will carry out a full and comprehensive appraisal as to it’s worth.
We will make a detailed offer setting out how we propose proceeding with the land’s purchase. You can be confident that we are backed by solid and reliable funding with a strong appetite for development. We are happy to work with landowners in a variety of ways, making either unconditional or subject to planning purchases. If the landowner is interested in selling outright, we can make cash purchases on land with or without planning permission. However, if they would rather keep their options open, we are happy to consider other payment choices, a joint venture or longer-term arrangements to achieve the most valuable development solution.
Working with us means you can benefit from our many years of experience. We carry out the most comprehensive investigations and surveys; consult with planners and local councillors; and work discreetly and professionally to make sure your site is consented quickly and efficiently.
All land enquiries are handled by a Company Director so you can be assured of the best possible advice. We have an enviable track record achieving planning consents on sites that other developers have walked away from. Our strength relies on giving every site our full attention, adapting our methods to suit the circumstances, local authority area and the individuals involved in the process. We will always recognise land introductions and look to re instruct agents on the forward sale of any consented site.
We undertake to quickly form an opinion on any potential land site you send to us and to revert to you within days and in detail as to our thoughts. If it’s of interest, we will carry out a full and comprehensive appraisal as to it’s worth.
We will make a detailed offer setting out how we propose proceeding with the land’s purchase. You can be confident that we are backed by solid and reliable funding with a strong appetite for development. We are happy to work with landowners in a variety of ways, making either unconditional or subject to planning purchases. If the landowner is interested in selling outright, we can make cash purchases on land with or without planning permission. However, if they would rather keep their options open, we are happy to consider other payment choices, a joint venture or longer-term arrangements to achieve the most valuable development solution.
Working with us means you can benefit from our many years of experience. We carry out the most comprehensive investigations and surveys; consult with planners and local councillors; and work discreetly and professionally to make sure your site is consented quickly and efficiently.
All land enquiries are handled by a Company Director so you can be assured of the best possible advice. We have an enviable track record achieving planning consents on sites that other developers have walked away from. Our strength relies on giving every site our full attention, adapting our methods to suit the circumstances, local authority area and the individuals involved in the process. We will always recognise land introductions and look to re instruct agents on the forward sale of any consented site.
Proven Track Record of Success
Between the three directors we have pretty much covered the whole of the UK in terms of development. However, we are keen to focus our attention on those areas we know best. To this end, our remit is to concentrate on Greater London and the Home Counties.
Of course, we can't resist a great site so it's always worth running something past us even if it's not in these areas!
Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells
The site was previously a commercial car sales and garage in the centre of the picturesque and renowned Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Our team our currently pursuing an application for 104 houses and flats and have been directly engaged with the local Planning Authority and town stakeholders throughout the process via Design Review panels, pre-application discussions and a public exhibition. In such a sensitive and highly regarded area, this is very much the best approach to achieving a successful planning consent.
Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells
The site was previously a commercial car sales and garage in the centre of the picturesque and renowned Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Our team our currently pursuing an application for 104 houses and flats and have been directly engaged with the local Planning Authority and town stakeholders throughout the process via Design Review panels, pre-application discussions and a public exhibition. In such a sensitive and highly regarded area, this is very much the best approach to achieving a successful planning consent.
Care
Development
Care & Healthcare Development
Specialist Land & Planning for Care Homes, Later Living and Specialist Care.
Principal Land & Planning works with landowners, developers, and care operators to identify and unlock opportunities for care home, nursing home and later-living developments across the UK.
With growing demand for modern care facilities and an ageing population, the care sector represents one of the most resilient and important areas of the property market. We specialise in identifying sites that can deliver high-quality care environments within well-planned communities.
Our focus is on finding land and development opportunities suitable for:
- Residential Care Homes
- Nursing Homes
- Dementia Care Facilities
- Retirement Living / Assisted Living
- Integrated care developments within residential schemes
Our Expertise
Our experience in land promotion and planning enables us to identify sites that are suitable for healthcare development and capable of achieving planning consent.
We offer:
- Site identification and acquisition
- Planning promotion and strategy
- Development viability assessment
- Introductions to care operators and investors
- Landowner representation
Our approach focuses on ensuring that developments are commercially viable while delivering high-quality care environments for residents and operators.
Portfolio
Care & Healthcare Development
Specialist Land & Planning for Care Homes, Later Living and Specialist Care.
Principal Land & Planning works with landowners, developers, and care operators to identify and unlock opportunities for care home, nursing home and later-living developments across the UK.
With growing demand for modern care facilities and an ageing population, the care sector represents one of the most resilient and important areas of the property market. We specialise in identifying sites that can deliver high-quality care environments within well-planned communities.
Our focus is on finding land and development opportunities suitable for:
• Residential Care Homes
• Nursing Homes
• Dementia Care Facilities
• Retirement Living / Assisted Living
• Integrated care developments within residential schemes
Our Expertise
Our experience in land promotion and planning enables us to identify sites that are suitable for healthcare development and capable of achieving planning consent.
We offer:
• Site identification and acquisition
• Planning promotion and strategy
• Development viability assessment
• Introductions to care operators and investors
• Landowner representation
Our approach focuses on ensuring that developments are commercially viable while delivering high-quality care environments for residents and operators.
Portfolio
Tarring Manor, Worthing
The site was previously a residential property that had been converted into a care home, which had ceased trading.
Members of our team were involved in the design and securing of planning permission for a 78-bedroom care home. Site clearance was followed by a complex construction programme, including a basement, roof terraces, balconies, and all associated external works and landscaping.
The completed development was delivered to Caring Homes Group.
Tarring Manor, Worthing
The site was previously a residential property that had been converted into a care home, which had ceased trading.
Members of our team were involved in the design and securing of planning permission for a 78-bedroom care home. Site clearance was followed by a complex construction programme, including a basement, roof terraces, balconies, and all associated external works and landscaping.
The completed development was delivered to Caring Homes Group.
Buckler Lodge, Crowthorne
The site formed part of a larger residential housing scheme by Cala Homes.
Our team was involved in the design and securing of planning permission for an 80-bedroom care home. As the site was part of a wider development, much of the off-site infrastructure was already in place, allowing for a relatively straightforward construction process.
The completed scheme was delivered to the Halebourne Group and leased to Greensleeves Care.
Buckler Lodge, Crowthorne
The site formed part of a larger residential housing scheme by Cala Homes.
Our team was involved in the design and securing of planning permission for an 80-bedroom care home. As the site was part of a wider development, much of the off-site infrastructure was already in place, allowing for a relatively straightforward construction process.
The completed scheme was delivered to the Halebourne Group and leased to Greensleeves Care.
Riverside Place, Ware
The site was previously a commercial bus depot and maintenance facility.
Our team was responsible for the design and securing of planning permission for a 78-bedroom care home. Site clearance, decontamination, remediation, and utilities diversions were undertaken prior to the construction phase. The build included deep piled foundations, traditional construction methods, roof terraces, and balconies.
The completed development was delivered to Caring Homes Group.
Riverside Place, Ware
The site was previously a commercial bus depot and maintenance facility.
Our team was responsible for the design and securing of planning permission for a 78-bedroom care home. Site clearance, decontamination, remediation, and utilities diversions were undertaken prior to the construction phase. The build included deep piled foundations, traditional construction methods, roof terraces, and balconies.
The completed development was delivered to Caring Homes Group.
Osbern Manor, Gillingham
The site is located at 26–28 Hoath Lane, Wigmore, and was redeveloped to provide a purpose-built care facility within an established residential setting.
Our team was involved in the design and securing of planning permission for a 72-bedroom care home. The scheme was carefully planned to optimise the site layout, incorporating landscaped gardens, parking provision, and an ambulance bay, alongside high-quality internal facilities including communal day spaces, a café/bistro, wellbeing areas, and salon amenities.
The construction programme utilised traditional building methods and included all associated external works and infrastructure. The completed development was delivered to Oakland Care.
Osbern Manor, Gillingham
The site is located at 26–28 Hoath Lane, Wigmore, and was redeveloped to provide a purpose-built care facility within an established residential setting.
Our team was involved in the design and securing of planning permission for a 72-bedroom care home. The scheme was carefully planned to optimise the site layout, incorporating landscaped gardens, parking provision, and an ambulance bay, alongside high-quality internal facilities including communal day spaces, a café/bistro, wellbeing areas, and salon amenities.
The construction programme utilised traditional building methods and included all associated external works and infrastructure. The completed development was delivered to Oakland Care.
If you have an opportunity or know of land that could be suitable for re-development, we would be delighted to hear from you.
We're always interested in hearing about potential land sites that could be suitable for redevelopment. We understand that land development can involve sensitive considerations, and all inquiries are treated with complete confidentiality and without obligation. We never share information with any third party without your prior consent.
For a conversation in the strictest confidence on any potential site, please email Richard Rowsell: richard@principal-land.co.uk
Copyright 2026 Principal Land & Planning. All Rights Reserved