Barns and rural buildings wanted in Birmingham
Development Land Wanted buys barns and rural buildings in Birmingham and right across England and Wales. Owners and agents are both welcome.
Barns and rural buildings can sometimes become homes through conversion or, in some cases, replacement. In England, Class Q permitted development allows certain agricultural buildings to change to residential use; in Wales the route is through a planning application. We buy suitable buildings in both nations.
- Size
- Single barns to farmyards
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
The barns and rural buildings that interests us around Birmingham
Farm buildings near Birmingham that have fallen out of use may suit conversion, particularly traditional barns with a good access. As the main city of the West Midlands, Birmingham anchors the area we cover here, along with Smethwick, West Bromwich and Halesowen.
- Modern agricultural buildings that may suit Class Q (England)
- Stable blocks, workshops and rural yards
- Buildings with an existing access to a road
- Buildings with or without an existing consent
Metro tram extensions, the High Speed 2 stations at Curzon Street and Interchange, and suburban rail lines are a focus for higher-density homes. Former industrial land often needs contamination and ground investigation, and the Black Country's mining and limestone legacy means ground stability checks are common.
What usually makes or breaks it
Planning route
In England, Class Q prior approval may apply to agricultural buildings; in Wales, a full application is usually needed.
Protected landscapes
National Parks and National Landscapes can restrict permitted development and design.
Access and services
Rural buildings often need new access, drainage and power.
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.
Some land in the West Midlands is designated Green Belt. If your land is within it, it may still qualify as grey belt or previously developed land under national policy, subject to the Golden Rules.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, close to Birmingham, and we buy land throughout England and Wales.
Choosing how to sell
Subject-to-planning contract
Common: we seek consent or prior approval and complete if successful.
Subject-to-planning contractJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureWhat happens after you get in touch
Get in touch
Tell us where the land is and what you know about it.
Site review
We look at the land, its planning position and anything that could affect it.
Proposal
We put our proposal in writing, with no obligation to accept.
Exchange and completion
If you go ahead, contracts are exchanged and the sale completes on the agreed terms.
Questions owners in Birmingham ask
We still use some of the buildings. Can we sell just part of the yard?
Yes. We can look at selling some buildings and keeping others, with access and boundaries agreed.
Do bats stop a barn conversion?
Not usually, but surveys and mitigation are needed, and survey seasons can affect timing.
Can an agent introduce land in Birmingham to you?
Yes. Estate agents, land agents and planning consultants can introduce sites with the owner's consent. Any fee is agreed in writing before details are shared, confirmed by the owner in writing and paid only on completion.
How quickly can you look at a site in Birmingham?
For most sites we can give an initial view once we have the location and a plan. Detailed checks follow if the land looks suitable.