Brownfield land wanted in Dorking
If you own brownfield land in or around Dorking, we would like to hear about it. We buy directly and give a free, no-obligation appraisal.
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 Dorking
Former works, depots and yards in and around Dorking can make good housing sites once the ground and neighbouring uses are understood. In Surrey, Dorking sits about 10 miles east of Guildford; Leatherhead and Reigate are its nearest neighbours on our list.
- Former industrial, commercial or depot sites
- Sites on a brownfield land register (England) or similar
- Land with buildings that would be demolished
- Sites with known contamination where the history is documented
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.
What usually makes or breaks it
Demolition and ground
Old foundations, tanks and services add cost, so we allow for them in our appraisal.
Neighbouring uses
Noise or smells from neighbouring businesses can affect whether homes are acceptable.
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.
Parts of Surrey 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 113 miles away, and we buy land throughout England and Wales.
Ways to sell brownfield land in Dorking
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 contractHow 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.
Your questions answered
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.
Do I have to clear the site first?
No. We can buy with buildings and hardstanding in place and deal with demolition ourselves.
How quickly can you look at a site in Dorking?
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 Dorking?
As Dorking 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.