Brownfield land wanted in Ilford
We want to hear from owners of brownfield land in Ilford. There is nothing to pay us, and you are under no obligation.
Brownfield land is land that has been developed before, such as a former factory, depot, yard or cleared building plot. National policy in both England and Wales supports reusing it, and we buy brownfield sites of all sizes for new homes.
- Size
- Any
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
The brownfield land that interests us around Ilford
Former works, depots and yards in and around Ilford can make good housing sites once the ground and neighbouring uses are understood. Sitting about 9 miles east of central London, Ilford is within Greater London, with Barking and Dagenham close by.
- Former industrial, commercial or depot sites
- Cleared sites and land with hardstanding
- Sites on a brownfield land register (England) or similar
- Sites with known contamination where the history is documented
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.
What decides whether a site in Ilford works
Demolition and ground
Old foundations, tanks and services add cost, so we allow for them in our appraisal.
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).
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.
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.
Our base is in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 108 miles away, and we buy land throughout England and Wales.
Choosing how to sell
Outright purchase
Common for brownfield, with contamination and demolition allowed for in the price.
Outright purchaseSubject-to-planning contract
Useful where the change from commercial to residential still needs consent.
Subject-to-planning contractWhat 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 Ilford ask
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.
Is brownfield land easier to get planning on?
National policy in England and Wales supports making good use of previously developed land, but each site still needs to meet local policies.
Is Ilford too far from our Birmingham base?
No. We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 108 miles from Ilford, and we look at land right across England and Wales.
How quickly can you look at a site in Ilford?
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.