Outright purchase for land in Greater London
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 Greater London
Considering an outright purchase for land in Greater London? Here is how it works and where it fits. Outer London, from Romford and Bexley to Uxbridge, Barnet, Croydon and Sutton, contains most of the capital's remaining land opportunities. Around the edge, the Metropolitan Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land protect open space, and a small part of the Kent Downs National Landscape lies in the south-east. Sites usually come forward as small infill plots, garage courts, backland, former commercial buildings and occasional grey belt land on the urban fringe.
London planning is shaped by both the London Plan and borough plans, with higher densities expected near stations and town centres. Small sites, including garden land, yards and redundant commercial premises close to Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line or national rail stations, are the most common route to new homes in the outer areas.
Where an English council cannot show a five-year supply of housing land, or its Housing Delivery Test result falls below 75%, the August 2026 NPPF can give policy support to suitable housing outside settlement boundaries.
In England, a planning permission normally has to be implemented within three years unless the council sets a different period, and councils aim to decide minor applications within eight weeks and major ones within thirteen.
Parts of Greater London 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 London fall within Kent Downs 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 Greater London that often suits an outright purchase
WantedLand without planning permission
Plenty of land around outer London has never had permission. What we look for first is whether new homes would fit with the existing pattern of the place. Possible where we are comfortable taking the planning risk ourselves.
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WantedInfill plots
We look for infill plots across outer London and the surrounding villages, particularly where there is room for parking off the road. Straightforward where consent exists or the case is strong.
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WantedGarden and backland plots
In parts of outer London with long gardens or rear lanes, backland plots can work well if the access is wide enough and neighbours are treated fairly. Possible where consent already exists.
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WantedCommercial and industrial sites
Older business land around outer London, 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.
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WantedBarns and rural buildings
We look at barns and rural yards around outer London and give a straight view on whether conversion or replacement is realistic. Possible where prior approval or consent exists.
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WantedGarage courts and yards
We are looking for garage blocks and small yards around outer London, whether they are fully let, partly let or empty. Common where the planning case is clear.
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WantedSites with lapsed or refused planning
If a scheme near outer London was refused or ran out of time, the officer's report usually shows what a better application would need. Possible where the fix is clear and low risk.
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WantedAllocated and promoted land
If your land near outer London appears in the council's plan or its site assessments, send us the reference; it changes the conversation. Common for allocated land with a clear path to an application.
Learn moreTowns we cover in Greater London
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.
Will you pay a deposit?
Deposits on exchange are common and are agreed as part of the heads of terms.
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 Greater London?
Yes. We use outright purchases across Greater London and the rest of England, where the structure suits the site and the owner.