
Helping Chichester Landowners Make Better Property Decisions
We understand how much your property interests in and around Chichester matter. That’s why we provide clear, jargon-free advice built on integrity, honesty and independent professional judgement. Whether you are managing land on the edge of the South Downs, a rural estate near Bosham or a development opportunity close to the city, our role is always to protect and enhance your interests. By being involved from the earliest stages of a project, we help you maximise returns while avoiding costly planning, valuation or compliance issues later on.
Local expertise led by Iain Skinner:
Iain Skinner brings a wealth of experience to every instruction, including valuations for inheritance tax, capital gains tax, personal pensions, trusts and business planning. He also advises on planning permission, development within environmentally sensitive landscapes and the strategic use of land and property assets.
Skinner Holden Chartered Surveyors & Property Advisors operates across Southern England and works extensively throughout West Sussex, including Chichester and the surrounding South Downs villages. Based nearby in Midhurst, the practice is ideally placed to advise on the mix of historic, agricultural, coastal and protected land that defines this part of the county. Clients include charities, rural estates, local and central government bodies, businesses and private individuals, all benefiting from expert valuation, planning and strategic asset management advice.

Specialist rural and development insight
Company Director Iain Skinner BSc (Hons) FRICS, FALA, MAPM qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1995 and has worked across the UK, from the Scottish Borders to Exmoor and from Northumberland to Kent and Cambridge. Since returning to the South Downs in 2009, he has focused that national experience on helping landowners and organisations throughout West Sussex, including the Chichester area, navigate the complexities of rural property and development.
Much of Iain’s work involves innovative projects in countryside and woodland settings, including visitor centres, forest and woodland facilities, woodland burial grounds, holiday lodges and cabins, and outdoor leisure developments. He also advises on specialist land uses such as military training and vehicle testing within the MoD estate. This breadth of experience is particularly valuable in and around Chichester, where planning, conservation and commercial potential must be carefully balanced.
Iain recently performed a land valuation for me and I found him to be professional, courteous and incredibly knowledgeable.
The valuation he provided, apart from being reasonably priced, went way over and above any I’d seen previously. It was extremely detailed and covered items and areas that provided exceptional added value. I very much look forward to working with Iain and Skinner Holden again in the future.

From Entrepreneurs to Estates and Charities – We Can Help!
No matter whether you are looking at a large property development or a small family property transfer, professional advice is invaluable.
Taking advice at the earliest possible stage can make all the difference to decisions around timing, options, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, planning restrictions and more.
CASE STUDY
At Alice Holt Forest Iain worked closely with Forestry England and the Alice Holt Forest visitor team to explore options for new visitor facilities and create a detailed plan for the future. He then lead on the successful planning application, co-ordinating specialist reports and writing many of the reports and studies himself. The application was the first of its kind in the South Downs National Park and was granted with full officer support.