Brownfield land wanted in Colchester
We want to hear from owners of brownfield land in Colchester. There is nothing to pay us, and you are under no obligation.
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
The brownfield land that interests us around Colchester
In Colchester, the brownfield sites we look at are often tucked behind main roads or alongside older housing, close to services. Colchester is in Essex, about 21 miles north-east of Chelmsford. Nearby places include Sudbury, Clacton-on-Sea and Witham.
- Former industrial, commercial or depot sites
- Cleared sites and land with hardstanding
- Sites on a brownfield land register (England) or similar
- Land with buildings that would be demolished
The Thames estuary, the Blackwater and the Colne bring flood risk and coastal habitat considerations, and many coastal schemes contribute to recreational disturbance mitigation for protected birds. The A12, A120 and Great Eastern Main Line corridors, and the Dedham Vale and Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscapes in the north, shape where growth goes.
What decides whether a site in Colchester works
Contamination
Past uses can leave contamination; desk studies and site investigation show what remediation is needed.
Demolition and ground
Old foundations, tanks and services add cost, so we allow for them in our appraisal.
Existing floorspace
Vacant buildings can reduce affordable housing requirements in some cases (vacant building credit, England).
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.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 127 miles from Colchester, 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
Useful where the change from commercial to residential still needs consent.
Subject-to-planning contractJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureThe next steps
Tell us about the land
Use the form or call us with the location and a rough outline of the site.
Free appraisal
We review title, planning and constraints and tell you honestly what we think.
Written offer
If the site suits us, we set out an offer and the way we propose to buy.
Solicitors take over
Your solicitor and ours agree the contract; we keep you informed throughout.
Questions owners in Colchester ask
Do I have to clear the site first?
No. We can buy with buildings and hardstanding in place and deal with demolition ourselves.
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.
Can an agent introduce land in Colchester 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 Colchester?
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.