Commercial and industrial sites wanted in Esher
Development Land Wanted buys commercial and industrial sites in Esher and right across England and Wales. Owners and agents are both welcome.
If you own industrial units, a business yard or commercial land that is surrounded by housing or underused, it may be worth more as a residential site. We look at employment land policy, tenancies and ground conditions before making an offer.
- Size
- Any
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
Is your land in Esher the kind we want?
In Esher, industrial land that has drifted out of use can often be reimagined as homes, subject to the council's view on employment land. Esher lies about 13 miles north-east of Guildford in Surrey. We also cover East Molesey, West Molesey, Walton-on-Thames and the villages between them.
- Industrial units and yards within residential areas
- Commercial land that is vacant or underused
- Sites with tenants on short leases or approaching breaks
- Land where employment use has been marketed without success
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 decides whether a site in Esher works
Contamination
Past industrial uses usually need investigation.
Neighbouring businesses
Homes next to noisy uses may need mitigation or may not be acceptable.
Permitted development (England)
Some changes from commercial to residential use can be made through prior approval rather than a full application.
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.
Some land in Surrey 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.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 105 miles from Esher, and we travel to see sites across England and Wales.
Choosing how to sell
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 agreementWhat 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.
Commercial and industrial sites in Esher: 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.
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.
Is Esher too far from our Birmingham base?
No. We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 105 miles from Esher, and we look at land right across England and Wales.
Do I need to pay anything to have land in Esher assessed?
No. Our appraisal is free and there is no obligation to sell to us.