Development land wanted in Greater Manchester
Selling land in Greater Manchester? We buy directly and welcome local agents.
Greater Manchester is a dense conurbation centred on Manchester and Salford, ringed by towns such as Bolton, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Stockport and Altrincham. Green Belt separates many of these towns and covers the moorland fringe, so most housing land is previously developed: former mills, industrial estates, yards and town-centre sites. Grey belt and small edge-of-settlement fields can also come forward on the urban fringe.
What land do we want in Greater Manchester?
Most of the city-region is covered by a joint strategic plan, and Metrolink and rail corridors are a focus for higher-density homes. The eastern edge around Saddleworth includes part of the Peak District National Park, where landscape is a significant constraint on development.
Since 6 August 2026, non-major development on sites of 0.2 hectares or less in England has generally been exempt from mandatory biodiversity net gain, unless priority habitat is affected. That makes many small sites simpler to bring forward.
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 introduced Environmental Delivery Plans and a Nature Restoration Levy in England, which over time may offer an alternative to site-by-site mitigation for some environmental issues.
Parts of Greater Manchester are Green Belt, though not every town has any nearby. We check early whether a site is inside it and, if so, whether a grey belt or previously developed land case could apply.
Parts of Greater Manchester fall within Peak District National Park. Protected landscapes carry strong policy protection, so land in or next to them needs particularly careful assessment.
Land we want in Greater Manchester
WantedResidential development land
Around Manchester, the residential land that tends to work is close to existing homes, shops and transport rather than out on its own.
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WantedLand with planning permission
If you hold a consent in or near Manchester, send us the decision notice and the approved drawings; that is usually enough for a first view.
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WantedLand without planning permission
Plenty of land around Manchester has never had permission. What we look for first is whether new homes would fit with the existing pattern of the place.
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WantedBrownfield land
Brownfield land in Manchester tends to be well located for homes; the questions are usually about contamination, demolition and neighbours.
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WantedInfill plots
Around Manchester, infill plots are often side gardens or gaps left between older houses; the street's character usually sets the design.
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WantedGarden and backland plots
Backland development in Manchester turns on access and privacy; we look at both before suggesting whether an application is worth making.
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WantedFarmland and paddocks
We are looking for farmland near Manchester with a realistic access, ideally land the owner has already put forward to the local plan.
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WantedGreen Belt and grey belt land
Green Belt edges in Greater Manchester vary a great deal, so we assess each parcel against the national tests before suggesting a deal.
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WantedStrategic land
Around Manchester, strategic sites tend to be the big fields between the built edge and the main roads, where a whole new neighbourhood could be planned.
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WantedSmall sites
In Manchester, small sites are often the leftover pieces: a side garden, an old garage block or a gap where a building once stood.
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WantedCommercial and industrial sites
We look at yards and units across Manchester where the business use has run its course or the site sits awkwardly among houses.
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WantedRedundant buildings
Across Manchester, empty offices, shops and former pubs can find a new life as homes when the building and the planning position line up.
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WantedBarns and rural buildings
In the countryside around Manchester, redundant barns and yards can sometimes become homes, depending on the building and the route available.
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WantedGarage courts and yards
Garage courts tucked behind homes in Manchester are often ideal for a small number of new houses or bungalows.
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WantedSites with lapsed or refused planning
Sites around Manchester with an old refusal can be worth a second look, especially where local or national policy has since changed.
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WantedAllocated and promoted land
If your land near Manchester appears in the council's plan or its site assessments, send us the reference; it changes the conversation.
Learn moreTowns we cover in Greater Manchester
- Manchester
- Oldham
- Wigan
- Bolton
- Stockport
- Salford
- Rochdale
- Sale
- Bury
- Altrincham
- Middleton
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Leigh
- Stretford
- Urmston
- Chadderton
- Eccles
- Tyldesley
- Hyde
- Walkden
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Cheadle Hulme
- Heywood
- Denton
- Stalybridge
- Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Westhoughton
- Farnworth
- Saddleworth
- Hindley
- Golborne
- Whitefield
- Swinton
- Royton
- Atherton
- Dukinfield
- Hazel Grove
- Irlam
- Horwich
- Bramhall
- Ramsbottom
- Bredbury
- Hale
How we could buy land in Greater Manchester
Outright purchase
We agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached.
Outright purchaseSubject-to-planning contract
We agree a price now and complete once a satisfactory planning permission is granted.
Subject-to-planning contractOption agreement
You grant us the right to buy within a set period, usually for an option premium, while we pursue planning.
Option agreementJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureWhat happens next
Tell us about the land
Use the form or call us with the location and a rough outline of the site.
Free appraisal
We review title, planning and constraints and tell you honestly what we think.
Written offer
If the site suits us, we set out an offer and the way we propose to buy.
Solicitors take over
Your solicitor and ours agree the contract; we keep you informed throughout.
Selling land in Greater Manchester: questions
Do you buy development land in Greater Manchester?
Yes. We buy land with and without planning permission across Greater Manchester, from single plots to larger sites, and we welcome introductions from local agents.
Which towns in Greater Manchester do you cover?
We look at land anywhere in Greater Manchester. Our town pages include Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport and Salford, but land in any town or village is welcome.
Is there Green Belt in Greater Manchester?
Yes, parts of Greater Manchester are Green Belt, though not every town has any nearby. Some Green Belt land may qualify as grey belt or previously developed land under national policy.
Do I pay anything for an appraisal?
No. Our appraisal is free and there is no obligation to sell to us.