Henry Adams enters its next chapter with launch of independent land, planning & development business

Following the sale of the Residential Sales and Lettings business of Henry Adams, the firm's specialist Land, Planning and Commercial teams will continue independently under the ownership of Adams, Cleveland & Curry Limited, trading as Henry Adams Land Planning & Development.

The new business will be led by David Adams, Managing Director, Peter Cleveland, Director and Head of Planning, and Martin Curry, Director and Head of Land, bringing together many decades of experience advising landowners, developers, investors, businesses and private clients across the South of England.

Importantly, the Henry Adams name and brand will continue, with ongoing investment in the business to ensure that the reputation, relationships and values established over two centuries continue to thrive.

A strong heritage, with the future in mind

David Adams, who has spent 32 years with Henry Adams, said:

“This is an exciting moment for Henry Adams and for everyone involved in the business. The fact that we are launching the new business in its 200th anniversary year makes it particularly significant.

“We are incredibly proud of the heritage, reputation and relationships that have been built over the last 200 years, but this is very much about looking forward. We are taking that experience and reputation into a new, independent business with the ambition to grow, develop our people and continue to provide the high-quality advice our clients have come to expect from Henry Adams.

“We have an exceptionally experienced team, strong client relationships and a breadth of expertise that gives us a very solid platform for the future. Our aim is to build on those strengths and create a modern, commercially focused business that is recognised as one of the leading independent land, planning and property consultancies across the region.”

Planning expertise

Peter Cleveland, Director and Head of Planning, brings extensive experience in planning strategy, development management and securing planning consents across a wide range of projects. He said:

“Planning is at the heart of many of the development and property decisions our clients make, whether that is understanding the potential of a piece of land, securing planning permission or navigating complex planning policy and development management issues.

“Our approach is to combine strong technical planning knowledge with a clear understanding of the commercial objectives behind each project. We advise on everything from individual properties and smaller development schemes through to major strategic sites, and we work closely with landowners, developers, promoters and other professional advisers to help turn opportunities into deliverable projects.

“The new structure gives us the opportunity to build further on that expertise, while maintaining the personal and commercially focused approach that has always been central to Henry Adams.”

Land and development

Martin Curry, Director and Head of Land, specialises in in advising landowners and institutions on the promotion, strategic development and the sale of land for development. He said:

“Our land business covers the full spectrum of development work, from individual sites and smaller residential schemes through to major strategic land projects. In total, the business currently project manages sites with the potential to deliver approximately 14,200 plots, demonstrating the scale and breadth of our experience across the development sector.”

“Over the years we have advised landowners on some very significant opportunities, including sites capable of delivering around 1,500 homes, as well as a wide range of residential, commercial and mixed-use developments.

“Our role is to understand the potential of land, establish the right strategy, work with the planning and professional teams to maximise that potential and ultimately achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.

“The independence of the new business gives us an exciting opportunity to build on that track record and continue developing the land side of the business across the South of England.”

Building on 200 years

The new business will bring together expertise across land, planning, development and commercial property, enabling clients to draw on a broad range of specialist advice while retaining the personal relationships and continuity associated with Henry Adams.

The business will continue to advise landowners, farmers, developers, investors, businesses, institutions and private clients across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and the wider South of England.
The launch of Henry Adams Land Planning & Development represents the beginning of a new chapter for a business with a 200-year history – combining the strength and reputation of an established name with the independence, focus and ambition to grow for the future.
PHOTO CAPTION
The team behind the independent Henry Adams Land Planning & Development business, led by Directors David Adams, Peter Cleveland and Martin Curry, which launches on 1st September 2026.