Farmland and paddocks wanted in Devon
Looking to sell farmland and paddocks near Devon? We assess every site on its merits and explain the options in plain English.
Agricultural land on the edge of a settlement is one of the main sources of new housing land. We buy and take options on farmland and paddocks, and we work around tenancies, grazing licences and farm schemes.
- Size
- Paddocks to whole farms
- Planning
- Usually without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Option, conditional or JV
What farmland and paddocks we want near Devon
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.
- Fields and paddocks adjoining a town, village or suburb
- Land with road frontage or a farm track to a road
- Parcels from a few acres to whole holdings
- Farmland where the owner wants to keep farming meanwhile
The A30, A38 and M5 corridors and the main line from Exeter to Plymouth carry most of Devon's planned growth, including new communities east of Exeter. In coastal towns, flood risk and coastal change can affect sites, while nutrient neutrality advice has applied in the River Axe catchment on the Dorset border.
Checks we make on farmland and paddocks in Devon
Relationship to the settlement
Land that reads as an extension of a place is usually more promising than isolated fields.
Tenancies
Agricultural tenancies affect when vacant possession can be given; we check the type and terms.
Landscape
Protected landscapes and sensitive views limit what may be acceptable.
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.
The August 2026 NPPF supports homes within reasonable walking distance (around 800 metres) of well-connected railway stations, with minimum densities of 35 homes per hectare, or 45 near higher-frequency stations.
Devon has no designated Green Belt, so the main policy questions near Devon are usually the settlement boundary, landscape and access.
Parts of Devon fall within Dartmoor National Park, Exmoor National Park, East Devon National Landscape, North Devon National Landscape, South Devon National Landscape, Blackdown Hills National Landscape and Tamar Valley National Landscape. Protected landscapes carry strong policy protection, so land in or next to them needs particularly careful assessment.
Farmland and paddocks wanted in towns across Devon
Ways to sell farmland and paddocks in Devon
Subject-to-planning contract
Works well for smaller paddocks and edge-of-village fields.
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 ventureFrom first call to completion
Send the basics
A postcode or plan and a few lines about the land are enough to start.
We do the homework
We check planning history, policy, flood maps and access at no cost to you.
We explain the options
You get a written proposal covering price, structure and timing.
Agree and proceed
Once you are happy, solicitors are instructed and the deal moves forward.
Farmland and paddocks in Devon: common questions
How much land do you need?
Anything from a single paddock to larger holdings. Smaller parcels next to villages can be very suitable.
Will I lose my farm payments?
Development land may need to leave a scheme at some point. Check your agreements and take advice; we plan timing around them where we can.
How quickly can you look at a site in Devon?
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.
Do I need to pay anything to have land in Devon assessed?
No. Our appraisal is free and there is no obligation to sell to us.