Commercial and industrial sites wanted in Barnet
We want to hear from owners of commercial and industrial sites in Barnet. There is nothing to pay us, and you are under no obligation.
Older commercial and industrial land within towns is often better suited to homes than to modern business. We are interested in units, yards and estates where redevelopment for housing is realistic.
- Size
- Any
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
Is your land in Barnet the kind we want?
We look at yards and units across Barnet where the business use has run its course or the site sits awkwardly among houses. Barnet lies about 10 miles north of central London in Greater London. We also cover Potters Bar, Borehamwood, Edgware and the villages between them.
- Industrial units and yards within residential areas
- Commercial land that is vacant or underused
- Builders' yards, depots and storage land
- Land where employment use has been marketed without success
London planning is shaped by both the London Plan and borough plans, with higher densities expected near stations and town centres. Small sites, including garden land, yards and redundant commercial premises close to Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line or national rail stations, are the most common route to new homes in the outer areas.
Checks we make on commercial and industrial sites in Barnet
Employment land protection
Councils often protect business land; evidence of marketing or lack of demand can matter.
Contamination
Past industrial uses usually need investigation.
Permitted development (England)
Some changes from commercial to residential use can be made through prior approval rather than a full application.
National policy in England now recognises "medium development" of 10 to 49 homes on sites up to 2.5 hectares, and asks councils to allocate at least 10% of their housing on sites of one hectare or less and a further 10% on sites of one to 2.5 hectares.
Some land in Greater London is designated Green Belt. If your land is within it, it may still qualify as grey belt or previously developed land under national policy, subject to the Golden Rules.
Our base is in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 95 miles away, and we buy land throughout England and Wales.
Choosing how to sell
Outright purchase
Common, with leases and remediation reflected in timing and price.
Outright purchaseSubject-to-planning contract
We agree a price now and complete once a satisfactory planning permission is granted.
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 ventureThe next steps
Tell us about the land
Use the form or call us with the location and a rough outline of the site.
Free appraisal
We review title, planning and constraints and tell you honestly what we think.
Written offer
If the site suits us, we set out an offer and the way we propose to buy.
Solicitors take over
Your solicitor and ours agree the contract; we keep you informed throughout.
Commercial and industrial sites in Barnet: common questions
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 Barnet too far from our Birmingham base?
No. We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 95 miles from Barnet, and we look at land right across England and Wales.
How quickly can you look at a site in Barnet?
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.