Commercial and industrial sites wanted in Somerset
We are actively looking for commercial and industrial sites in Somerset and the surrounding area, with or without planning permission.
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
What commercial and industrial sites we want near Somerset
Somerset, as used here, includes Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon and Keynsham as well as Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater and Frome. Green Belt lies around Bath and Bristol in the north, and Exmoor National Park and the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills, Blackdown Hills, Cranborne Chase and Cotswolds National Landscapes cover much of the rest. The Somerset Levels and Moors are at high flood risk, so sites on higher ground are often favoured.
- Commercial land that is vacant or underused
- Sites with tenants on short leases or approaching breaks
- Builders' yards, depots and storage land
- Garage, workshop and showroom sites
Nutrient neutrality advice linked to the Somerset Levels and Moors protected sites has affected housing across much of the county. The M5 corridor through Bridgwater and Taunton, and growth linked to Hinkley Point C, have increased demand for land near those towns.
What decides whether a site in Somerset works
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.
Permitted development (England)
Some changes from commercial to residential use can be made through prior approval rather than a full application.
Where an English council cannot show a five-year supply of housing land, or its Housing Delivery Test result falls below 75%, the August 2026 NPPF can give policy support to suitable housing outside settlement boundaries.
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.
Commercial and industrial sites wanted in towns across Somerset
Four ways to sell to us
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 contractWhat happens after you get in touch
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 Somerset: common questions
Do I need to market the site first?
Not to sell to us. Marketing evidence can, however, support a planning case for change of use.
Is permitted development an option?
In England, some commercial-to-residential changes can use prior approval. Whether it applies depends on the use, the building and local restrictions.
Do you buy commercial and industrial sites in Somerset?
Yes. We buy commercial and industrial sites in Somerset and throughout Somerset, as well as elsewhere in England and Wales. Tell us where the land is and we will give you a free appraisal.
Which planning rules apply to land in Somerset?
As Somerset 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.