Brownfield land wanted in Caterham
We want to hear from owners of brownfield land in Caterham. 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
What brownfield land we want near Caterham
In Caterham, the brownfield sites we look at are often tucked behind main roads or alongside older housing, close to services. Caterham lies about 22 miles east of Guildford in Surrey. We also cover Coulsdon, Purley, Redhill and the villages between them.
- Former industrial, commercial or depot sites
- Cleared sites and land with hardstanding
- Yards and builders' compounds within towns
- Land with buildings that would be demolished
Heathland protection in the west of the county means many schemes contribute to mitigation for the Thames Basin Heaths, and flood risk from the Thames and Mole affects riverside towns. Stations on the lines into Waterloo and Victoria matter, as English planning policy now gives weight to locations near well-connected stations.
Before we make an offer in Caterham
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).
In England, the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 17 August 2026 replaced the old "tilted balance" with new settlement policies: development within a settlement should normally be approved unless the harm substantially outweighs the benefits, while land outside a settlement can gain support in defined circumstances.
Though we are based in Birmingham (roughly 117 miles away), distance is no barrier: we look at land 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 contractOption agreement
You grant us the right to buy within a set period, usually for an option premium, while we pursue planning.
Option agreementThe 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.
Brownfield land in Caterham: common questions
Do I have to clear the site first?
No. We can buy with buildings and hardstanding in place and deal with demolition ourselves.
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.
How quickly can you look at a site in Caterham?
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 Caterham?
As Caterham 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.