Commercial and industrial sites wanted in Exeter
Looking to sell commercial and industrial sites near Exeter? We assess every site on its merits and explain the options in plain English.
Commercial and industrial sites can sometimes be redeveloped for housing, particularly when they sit among homes or are no longer needed for business. We assess whether a change to residential is realistic and buy suitable sites across England and Wales.
- Size
- Any
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
What commercial and industrial sites we want near Exeter
We look at yards and units across Exeter where the business use has run its course or the site sits awkwardly among houses. Exeter is the county town of Devon. Nearby places we also cover include Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot.
- Commercial land that is vacant or underused
- Builders' yards, depots and storage land
- Garage, workshop and showroom sites
- Land where employment use has been marketed without success
Devon has no Green Belt, but Dartmoor and part of Exmoor National Parks and the East Devon, North Devon, South Devon, Blackdown Hills and Tamar Valley National Landscapes cover a large share of the county. Growth focuses on Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay and the market towns, with many villages beyond. Edge-of-town greenfield land, farm buildings and smaller infill plots are the usual sources of new housing sites.
Checks we make on commercial and industrial sites in Exeter
Employment land protection
Councils often protect business land; evidence of marketing or lack of demand can matter.
Leases
Tenancies and their protection affect when the site can be redeveloped.
Neighbouring businesses
Homes next to noisy uses may need mitigation or may not be acceptable.
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.
Devon has no designated Green Belt, so the main policy questions near Exeter are usually the settlement boundary, landscape and access.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 144 miles from Exeter, and we travel to see sites across England and Wales.
Ways to sell commercial and industrial sites in Exeter
Outright purchase
Common, with leases and remediation reflected in timing and price.
Outright purchaseSubject-to-planning contract
Used where a change of use 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 agreementJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureWhat 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.
Frequently asked in Devon
My units are still let. Can you buy?
Yes, in many cases. We look at the leases and break dates and can plan a purchase around them.
Will the council object to losing business land?
Some councils protect employment land. Evidence that the site is no longer needed or suitable for business can help.
Is Exeter too far from our Birmingham base?
No. We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 144 miles from Exeter, and we look at land right across England and Wales.
How quickly can you look at a site in Exeter?
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.