Countrywide Land Holdings Agricultural Land Scam: A Rural Nightmare
Thousands of UK investors were persuaded to transfer pensions into high-risk agricultural land schemes through Countrywide Land Holdings, only to discover their retirement funds trapped in worthless plots. This pension transfer scandal highlights systemic failures in SIPP advice and land banking promotions.
If you were advised to move final salary or workplace pensions into these schemes, a free pension consultation could determine your eligibility for compensation.
How Countrywide Exploited Pension Transfer Rules
The firm targeted individuals with:
- Unrealistic promises of 10-15% annual returns from farmland development
- Pressure to release pension funds through SIPP transfer UK arrangements
- Misrepresentation of planning permission likelihoods
Red Flags of Mis-Sold Agricultural Land Investments
Many victims report these warning signs:
- Advisors downplayed the speculative nature of farmland schemes
- Documents failed to explain pension fraud claims risks
- Cold calls or seminar invitations initiated the contact
Financial Consequences for Pension Holders
The Agricultural Land Scam has left investors facing:
- Plots valued at 10-20% of purchase price
- No viable exit strategy for illiquid assets
- Tax penalties from unauthorised payments
“After transferring my teacher’s pension, I discovered my ‘prime development land’ was actually floodplain with no building rights.” – Margaret R., Devon
Compensation Pathways for Affected Investors
Time limits apply to claims, but potential routes include:
- Financial Ombudsman Service complaints
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme applications
- Professional negligence claims against advisors
Our professional claims review service has secured £3.2m in redress for farmland scheme victims since 2020.
Next Steps for Potential Claimants
Gather evidence including:
- Original pension transfer advice documents
- Countrywide sales materials
- Current SIPP valuations
With many mis sold pension claims deadlines approaching, a no-win-no-fee assessment provides risk-free clarity on your position.