Brownfield land wanted in Saddleworth
We want to hear from owners of brownfield land in Saddleworth. 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
What brownfield land we want near Saddleworth
Former works, depots and yards in and around Saddleworth can make good housing sites once the ground and neighbouring uses are understood. Saddleworth is in Greater Manchester, about 11 miles north-east of Manchester. Nearby places include Oldham, Stalybridge and Royton.
- Cleared sites and land with hardstanding
- Yards and builders' compounds within towns
- Sites on a brownfield land register (England) or similar
- Sites with known contamination where the history is documented
Most of the city-region is covered by a joint strategic plan, and Metrolink and rail corridors are a focus for higher-density homes. The eastern edge around Saddleworth includes part of the Peak District National Park, where landscape is a significant constraint on development.
What decides whether a site in Saddleworth 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).
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.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 69 miles from Saddleworth, and we travel to see sites across 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 contractOption agreement
You grant us the right to buy within a set period, usually for an option premium, while we pursue planning.
Option agreementHow a sale to us works
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 Greater Manchester
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.
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.
How quickly can you look at a site in Saddleworth?
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.
Which planning rules apply to land in Saddleworth?
As Saddleworth is in England, national policy comes from the National Planning Policy Framework, revised in August 2026. Local policies in the council's development plan also apply.