How selling land to us works
You tell us where the land is, we carry out a free appraisal, visit if it looks suitable, put a proposal in writing and, if you agree, solicitors take it to exchange and completion.
How does selling land to Development Land Wanted work?
Selling development land to us follows five stages. You can stop at any point before contracts are exchanged, and our appraisal is free.
- Tell us about the land. Use the site submission form, the short form on any page, or call 0800 088 6248. The location and a rough description are enough.
- Free desk appraisal. We review the title, planning history, local policy, flood maps, access and obvious constraints. For many sites we can give an initial view at this stage.
- Site visit and discussion. If the land looks suitable, we arrange to see it and talk through what you want to achieve.
- Written proposal. We set out our offer and the structure we suggest: outright purchase, subject to planning, an option agreement or a joint venture. Everything is subject to contract.
- Legal process. Heads of terms are agreed, solicitors are instructed and, after due diligence, contracts are exchanged and the sale completes on the agreed terms.
What do we check during an appraisal?
We look at the same things a planning officer, a highways engineer and a buyer's solicitor would. The most common are:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Title and boundaries | Who owns the land, what rights and covenants affect it, and whether it can be sold. |
| Planning policy | How national and local policy would treat new homes on the site, including settlement boundaries and allocations. |
| Access | Whether a safe vehicle access can be made, and whether it needs land owned by someone else. |
| Flood risk and drainage | Official flood maps and how surface and foul water could be managed. |
| Ecology, trees and heritage | Protected habitats and species, protected trees, listed buildings and conservation areas. |
| Viability | Whether, after build costs and planning obligations, the scheme makes sense. |
Will you tell me if the land is not suitable?
Yes. If we do not think the land has a realistic route to new homes, we will say so and explain why. Sometimes the answer is "not yet": for example, land that may become suitable when the local plan is reviewed.
Do I need my own advisers?
Yes, we recommend it. You should have your own solicitor and, for larger or more complex sites, a land agent or valuer and a tax adviser. On option agreements we pay your reasonable legal costs, capped at a figure agreed in the heads of terms.
Questions
How long does a sale take?
It depends on the route. An outright purchase of land with planning can move relatively quickly; land that needs planning permission takes longer. We are honest about timing for each site.
Can I keep using the land until the sale?
Usually, yes. Under a subject-to-planning contract or an option, current uses can normally continue until completion.
What if my land is in the Green Belt?
In England, some Green Belt land may qualify as grey belt or previously developed land, which national policy allows to be considered for housing. We assess each case individually.