England's green and pleasant land falls into the hands of rogue salesmen - PropertySCAM - fighting the blight of green belt land plot sales

Saturday, 30. December 2006

England's green and pleasant land falls into the hands of rogue salesmen

The company [Land Heritage (UK)] took Ł5m from 700 investors in return for small parcels of farmland in Sussex and Lincolnshire. Liquidators Smith & Williamson have told them there is nothing left for creditors. LHUK was one of many "landbankers" who buy farm land at agricultural prices - Ł5,000 to Ł10,000 an acre - and split it into small slices, selling each 0.1 acre plot for Ł10,000 or more. The deal means landbank promoters can make upwards of Ł100,000 profit per acre without even a whisper of planning consent.

LHUK collapsed after the Financial Services Authority said it was a "collective investment" as the company - and not individual investors - would control planning applications and land sales. Collective investments must be FSA-regulated and LHUK was not authorised. The FSA told it unofficially it could avoid prosecution if it repaid investors. But the cupboard is bare.

(Via Guardian Unlimited. To read the full story, click here)

Comments :

1. Successbelly03/03/2007 02:16:52

Restrictive convenants
Given LHUK nolonger exists, does anyone know if the restrictive convenants / TP1 agreements are still valid? Plus does any know if the Uckfield site is actively being farmed? If not, I believe we have some great opportunities if we can get all plot owners to found a co-operative to use this site to generate some revenue. Every cloud has a silver lining, the returns will just take a little longer...

2. Dickie06/03/2007 16:13:58

Dear Successbelly
I fear Hambrook and Greenstock may go the same way. I think they are in liquidation and I'd be amazed if the money had not already been squirreled away elsewehere. I actually have the Land Registry certificates for 3 of the 4 I purchased, so I guess I am the legal owner. Interested in your idea, but if LHUK are the same as H&G (i.e. always retain a slice of the site) so I wonder who now owns LHUK land plots? Keep in touch...

3. Successbelly10/03/2007 01:44:26

Dickie,

Pls contact me on successbelly@gmail.com. 2 heads are better than 1. I have bounced my ideas off the newspapers and BBC but they will only get traction if I can get a significant number of investors together. Speak soonest....

4. Dumbell16/03/2007 19:40:25

Hi Successbelly and Dickie, I have 4 plots on the H&G Sible Hedingham site, with Land Registry Title Deeds, so I'm assuming I actually own a couple of tennis courts in the middle of a field. I agree the only way to come out of this with anything is to band together, although not sure how to move forward? If anyone knows of a list of Sible Hedingham plot owners that would also be useful.

5. Natasha Elliott02/04/2007 17:25:01

Hi there,

I like you have also been scammed! I have spoken to a solicitor and his comments weren't exactly positive. He said that as H & G are supposedly based in Switzerland it would be almost impossible to trace the owners to bring a court case together. And at Ł400 an hour it would possibly be a waste! I for one do not want them to get away with this and want us to band together and get some kind of compensation. This is a fraudulent crime and I have been advised to contact the police. If enough of us do this together they will have to investigate. If this happens we may not receive a full refund but we will make people aware of the crime and hopefully prevent this kind of crime happening again. contact me natasha.elliott@lr.org

6. comment posted by [removed]10/04/2007 09:26:02

[comment removed - see PropertySCAM comments policy]

7. Murtaza Shah11/04/2007 12:08:16

Hi,
I am in the same boat as you guys. I have just received a letter from H&G AG stating that they will be going into Liquidation. I think the best way out of this is to band together and try to get planning ourselves. I have 1 plot in Sible which cost me approx. 5K.
Lets get together and do something about this crime!
Regards
M SHAH

8. reg14/04/2007 10:40:29

i worked for h@g a longtime ago..total scamers im afraid..they opparated from alicante spain and are still there.
reg

9. Boris Nelissen15/04/2007 15:48:19

Hallo everybody,

I'm one of the buyers at Sible Hedingham. I've invested for 15 plots that's Ł77.500,-- and I am afraid I'm a victim too. How can we work together in order to sell the land for a price that compensates our investments.
And how to prosecute Hambrook and Greenstock. They must not get away with this!!
Please react and let's get together!
Boris Nelissen, Holland

10. Boris Nelissen15/04/2007 16:20:17

Reaction on no 8 by 'reg'.
Could you tell how to find the people behind these criminal scene.
I'm a victim. See comment no 9

11. do not was to give my name at this stage.27/04/2007 11:38:43

I also bought land from hambrook and greenstock last year with the promise of a uplift of 360% clear profit in 3-5 years,i was very impressed with the salesman who sounded very posh and polite with good knowlege of land investments.I was told this has a 100% chance of getting planing.but no joy.the name i have from the emails i recieved is david winch,does anyone know where he is??lets all work together and tackle this.

12. Malcolm Hewling09/05/2007 18:00:57

I am also in the same boat. Bought 2 plots at Sible Hedingham and a plot at Marlow via Hambrook & Greenstock. They seemed very professional and all the paperwork was convincing. Not sure how we are going to get out of this mess, but i suppose by communicating and sticking together we may have a fighting chance - somehow. If all plot owners combined and apply for planning permission for future development.To be honest i am scraping the barrel and scratching my head.
I have contacted the British Consulate in Switzerland, but apart from giving me a list of expensive Swiss lawyers no other advice was given.
Another fine mess - sucker.

13. Paul Slingsby23/05/2007 15:42:57

I've been conned as well. Two plots at Sible Hedingham and two plots at Chalford. Not sure what to do about it but would be happy to be a part of any joint action.

14. Anita 28/05/2007 15:43:41

Hi

I bought two plots at Sible Hedingham. I am trying to put together a list of all the H&G landowners so that we can all work together. I have a few people already. If you want to join us e-mail me at neets35@aol.com. I am hoping to sort out a web-site in the near future.

Regards
Anita

15. Keith03/06/2007 12:22:57

Anyone out there got any info on the Land Hertage site at Boston, Lincs?
Is there an owners co-op? If so, I would like to get involved as I have heard nothing from anyone else
Keith

16. Craig07/06/2007 22:10:48

Hello All. I am also a victim here. However, I am also releived that I have been able to contact so many of you. I own 1 plot in Sibble Heddingham (approx 5K). Would be interested in pooling resources to gain a resolution to this. My E-mail Address is craig456uk@hotmail.com.

17. Claire Schimmer11/06/2007 22:22:18

Interested to see from Paul Slingsby that he has two plots in Chalford - is that Chalford Hill in Gloucestershire as I wasn't aware that any plots had been sold there even though I knew that Hambrook and Greenstock had brought the land?

18. G15/06/2007 15:59:43

I worked for H&G a while ago and I was conned but from the employee side. I was informed that all work that went on was ligit and all information was passed on to clients with the full intention of it being the truth. I was also conned out of wages. Now reading all of your messages I feel awful that I was a part of this, I can assure you that the employees I associated with were not aware of what was going on behind the scenes. I have tried to find the contact details to supply to yourselves for the owners but I feel that they used 'staged' names and they have now disappeared.

19. Nazia Begum19/07/2007 10:42:24

Hi,

I have also purchased land from the company two from sible and one in marlow total of 25k,I cant beliebe I have been conned.The sellers sounded so Professional.They should not get away with this.Can any of you guys please contact me because I dont know what to do.

Nazia

20. NAZIA BEGUM19/07/2007 11:03:43
Homepage: http://Nazia.Begum2@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

above is my email address could some one please contact me.Thanks

21. craig atkins13/08/2007 10:36:07

I have bought 3 plots.....really annoyed grrrrrrrrrrr
Someone please get us all together and fight this..... my e-mail is atkinsukretailers@hotmail.com

22. Sharma07/09/2007 13:27:04

Hi all,
I've been conned as well. One plot at Sible Hedingham. Not sure what to do about it but would be happy to be a part of any joint action.Plz contact me via email: drdiwakar@rediffmail.com
Thankyou

23. alum09/09/2007 21:46:54

hi eyeryone, i purchased one plot in Sible Hedingham (6k). i will be more than happy to participate in joint action for planning permission my email address is: halum999@hotmail.com. thanks

24. Helen18/09/2007 15:10:51

Hi
I cannot believe i have been scammed! I bought plots in Marlow's.I think it is possible a matter of time. Anyone agree with me? But I would like to work with all the other investors together to get what we deserve.

25. allen smith29/09/2007 23:18:46

Hi

I have also worked for H AND G, they are scammers based in alicante must of moved by now, there are two bosses, they are also abroad somewhere in south america, they started of with time share scam and when successful landed with land banking by telling mates to work for other companies and getting thier info, JUST ASK OTHER COMPANIES ABOUT H AND G, they may be on the FSA List, i FEEL SORRY FOR ALL OF YOU, but they are pros and someone bright in this forum and to work with the police, etc....................................................

26. halo balooooo29/09/2007 23:33:15

http://www.hambrook.com/home.html

try thier sister company

27. Khalid03/10/2007 22:13:58

I am also the owner of one plot at SIble Hedingham from Hambrook and greenstock. Fortunately, i have certificate from land registry. Please add me in your list in order to make effort for recovery.

28. !!16/10/2007 23:32:03

I worked for h and g in england and in alicante i can promise you guys that we was not in the know ourselves, one of the owners lives in south america and the other has gone south of spain and now runs a stocks and shares company some of the people went with him others went north of spain with one of the directors i know alot about the company :-

29. Mariano21/10/2007 16:11:07

Hi eyeryone, I purchased one plot in Sible Hedingham and one in Marlow Road. I will be more than happy to participate in joint action for planning permission my email address is: mariano_italiano@hotmail.com. thanks

30. renton78928/10/2007 11:21:18

i'm really annoyed that H&G can get away with this. I was duped on a Ł5.5k plot. i only bought from them as they seemed v professioal and had exhibited at the IX investor show '06 in London. It would be nice for fair organisers not to promote shady companies like this.

how is the list coming along? my email is: renton789@hotmail.com

31. DR SHAR02/11/2007 11:03:35

I invested a large amount of money in land investment with a company calling themself hambrook and greenstock based in switzerland,the consultant on the epack was David Lankshear,very proffesional and well spoken and gave me all the details of landbanking and returns..does anyone know what has happend to the company as i have been trying to get in contact with them for months and no joy..please reply.DR SHAR

32. WILLIAM DE HAG08/11/2007 16:35:59

YES..THEY ARE TRADING IN SWITZERLAND I THINK..???

33. jaz10/11/2007 02:36:19
Homepage: http://jyaourt.sucessuniversity.com/specialoffer

would be keen to participate in joint action for planning permission my email yjacqui@talktalk.net.
Can anyone tell me what progress if any has been made so far.....

34. Mariano05/12/2007 11:31:54

For All: www.hambrook.com

35. K. Woodham13/12/2007 21:52:57

Hi. Also hopping mad!! We also bought plots at Sible Hedingham, Marlow Road and Chalford. Would also be intrested in joint action in seeking planning permission or any legal action possible against H & G. Email: yvonne.nut@hotmail.co.uk

36. Gamar22/12/2007 18:54:02

Hi to everyone who are with me on the same boat. Pse add me on the list too if an action is planned either to recover the fund from the H & G or find some investor who can rescue us.

37. Shree Narayana08/01/2008 15:01:05

I own a plot in Sible Hedingham.
I would very much like to join the list to both
a) take any action possible against H&G or whoever
b) see whatever we can get back from the investment.

Please let know if anybody is taking any action in this group. If yes, I will send out my contact details to them.
Thanks and Regards
Shree

38. Rich H31/01/2008 14:12:42

I live in Alicante and bought 2 plots in Sible Hedingham. Looks like we have all been stitched up, but will endeavour to find out more as i am still in contact with some of the people involved in the sale.

39. Ren25/02/2008 15:44:54

I worked for them. If you need any help identifying these people please contact me and maybe i could help with the police etc. real scum bags. i feel for you all and feel sick that the uk government sits by and lets this happen. Just a thought but maybe you should speak to the council cos im pretty much 100% sure that they were given a back hander. Alot of the people u are looking for are on facebook. r

40. david W25/02/2008 16:56:14

total crooks..don't go near them...they now do stocks and shares.

41. simon 29/03/2008 19:46:30

comment 31 to be removed untrue,and wrong name.

42. PropertySCAM29/03/2008 20:30:13

Simon - email us with an explanation and we'll consider it.

43. Brian B29/04/2008 16:01:51

Like most people on this forum, I too own a plot in Sible Hedingham. If any action is being taken to obtain planning permission or to recover monies, please add me to the list or contact me at B121ANS@HOTMAIL.COM