Outright purchase for land in Cornwall
We agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached.
An outright purchase is a straightforward sale: we agree a price, carry out due diligence, exchange contracts and complete, without waiting for planning permission. It gives a landowner certainty and speed, and suits land with planning permission or a clear planning route.
Outright purchase for land in Cornwall
We use outright purchases for suitable land across Cornwall. Cornwall has no Green Belt, but landscape designation is extensive: the Cornwall National Landscape covers large stretches of coast and countryside, alongside the Tamar Valley and Isles of Scilly National Landscapes. Settlements are dispersed, from Truro, Camborne, Redruth and St Austell to many small coastal and inland villages. Sites coming forward are often edge-of-settlement fields, farm buildings, former mining and china clay land, and rural exception sites for local needs.
Second-home and holiday-let pressure has led to principal residence policies in some Cornish neighbourhood plans, and nutrient neutrality advice has applied in the River Camel catchment. Former mining land around Camborne and Redruth needs mining risk checks, while the A30 corridor towns attract more mainstream housing growth.
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.
National policy in England now recognises "medium development" of 10 to 49 homes on sites up to 2.5 hectares, and asks councils to allocate at least 10% of their housing on sites of one hectare or less and a further 10% on sites of one to 2.5 hectares.
Cornwall has no designated Green Belt, so the main policy questions near Truro are usually the settlement boundary, landscape and access.
Parts of Cornwall fall within Cornwall National Landscape, Tamar Valley National Landscape and Isles of Scilly National Landscape. Protected landscapes carry strong policy protection, so land in or next to them needs particularly careful assessment.
In short: we agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached. It usually suits land with outline or full planning permission; brownfield and redundant buildings with a clear route; owners who want certainty and a clean break. See how an outright purchase works for the full process, pros and cons.
Land in Cornwall that often suits an outright purchase
WantedResidential development land
Around Truro, the residential land that tends to work is close to existing homes, shops and transport rather than out on its own. Best where planning is already granted or the route to it is clear.
Learn more
WantedLand with planning permission
If you hold a consent in or near Truro, send us the decision notice and the approved drawings; that is usually enough for a first view. The usual route for consented land: an agreed price and a straightforward sale.
Learn more
WantedLand without planning permission
For land on the edges of Truro with no consent yet, the first questions are access, flood risk and how the council's current plan treats the area. Possible where we are comfortable taking the planning risk ourselves.
Learn more
WantedBrownfield land
Former works, depots and yards in and around Truro can make good housing sites once the ground and neighbouring uses are understood. Common for brownfield, with contamination and demolition allowed for in the price.
Learn more
WantedSmall sites
In Truro, small sites are often the leftover pieces: a side garden, an old garage block or a gap where a building once stood. Common where consent exists or the case is strong.
Learn more
WantedCommercial and industrial sites
Older business land around Truro, especially units now surrounded by housing, is the kind of commercial site we would like to discuss. Common, with leases and remediation reflected in timing and price.
Learn more
WantedGarage courts and yards
We are looking for garage blocks and small yards around Truro, whether they are fully let, partly let or empty. Common where the planning case is clear.
Learn more
WantedSites with lapsed or refused planning
Sites around Truro with an old refusal can be worth a second look, especially where local or national policy has since changed. Possible where the fix is clear and low risk.
Learn moreTowns we cover in Cornwall
Outright purchase: questions
Can I include overage in an outright sale?
Yes. If you want a share of any future uplift, for example if a larger scheme is later approved, an overage clause can be negotiated.
Do you need to survey the land first?
We usually carry out some checks before exchange, such as title review, searches and, where relevant, ground or ecology surveys.
Is an outright purchase always quicker?
Usually, but timing still depends on title, searches and both sides' solicitors.
Do you use outright purchases for land in Cornwall?
Yes. We use outright purchases across Cornwall and the rest of England, where the structure suits the site and the owner.