Brownfield land wanted in Plymouth
Looking to sell brownfield land near Plymouth? We assess every site on its merits and explain the options in plain English.
A brownfield site is previously developed land, usually in or near a town. Old use can mean contamination, demolition or difficult ground, but these are often solvable. We look at the history, the ground and the planning position before making an offer.
- Size
- Any
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
What brownfield land we want near Plymouth
Former works, depots and yards in and around Plymouth can make good housing sites once the ground and neighbouring uses are understood. Plymouth is in Devon, about 36 miles south-west of Exeter. Nearby places include Saltash, Paignton and Newton Abbot.
- Cleared sites and land with hardstanding
- Yards and builders' compounds within towns
- Sites on a brownfield land register (England) or similar
- Land with buildings that would be demolished
Devon has no Green Belt, but Dartmoor and part of Exmoor National Parks and the East Devon, North Devon, South Devon, Blackdown Hills and Tamar Valley National Landscapes cover a large share of the county. Growth focuses on Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay and the market towns, with many villages beyond. Edge-of-town greenfield land, farm buildings and smaller infill plots are the usual sources of new housing sites.
Before we make an offer in Plymouth
Contamination
Past uses can leave contamination; desk studies and site investigation show what remediation is needed.
Employment land policy
Some councils protect employment land; we check whether a change to housing would be resisted.
Existing floorspace
Vacant buildings can reduce affordable housing requirements in some cases (vacant building credit, England).
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.
Devon has no designated Green Belt, so the main policy questions near Plymouth are usually the settlement boundary, landscape and access.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 179 miles from Plymouth, and we travel to see sites across England and Wales.
Choosing how to sell
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 contractThe next steps
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.
Frequently asked in Devon
Will contamination stop a sale?
Not usually. It affects cost and the work needed, which we allow for. Any reports you already have help us give a firmer view sooner.
My site is still let to a tenant. Is that a problem?
It can be managed. Tell us about the lease terms and any break dates and we will factor them into the timing.
Is Plymouth too far from our Birmingham base?
No. We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 179 miles from Plymouth, and we look at land right across England and Wales.
Can an agent introduce land in Plymouth 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.