Sites with lapsed or refused planning wanted in Bristol
Development Land Wanted buys sites with lapsed or refused planning in Bristol and right across England and Wales. Owners and agents are both welcome.
A site with lapsed or refused planning has been through the system before without a build starting. That history is useful: it shows what the council liked and what it did not. We buy such sites and look at whether a revised scheme could succeed.
- Size
- Any
- Planning
- Lapsed, refused or withdrawn
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Conditional or outright
What sites with lapsed or refused planning we want near Bristol
Bristol is a compact city bounded by the Avon Gorge, the Severn estuary at Avonmouth and the Bristol and Bath Green Belt, which covers land on and beyond its edges. Most new homes come from previously developed land: former industrial and commercial sites, yards, garage courts and regeneration areas such as Temple Quarter and the harbourside. Small infill and backland plots across the suburbs are also a steady source of sites.
- Sites where planning permission has expired
- Sites where an appeal was dismissed on specific points
- Withdrawn applications
- Land with an old permission that was never started
Higher densities are encouraged around stations and the city centre, with Temple Meads and the MetroWest rail upgrades a focus for growth. Flood risk from the tidal Avon and the Severn estuary affects central and Avonmouth sites, and conservation areas cover much of the historic city.
What usually makes or breaks it
Policy changes
National and local policy may have moved since the last decision, for better or worse.
Appeal history
An inspector's decision carries weight in future applications.
Technical work
Some refusals turn on drainage, highways or ecology evidence that can be improved.
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.
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.
Parts of Bristol are Green Belt, though not every town has any nearby. We check early whether a site is inside it and, if so, whether a grey belt or previously developed land case could apply.
Ways to sell sites with lapsed or refused planning in Bristol
Subject-to-planning contract
The usual route: we make the revised application and complete on success.
Subject-to-planning contractJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureHow a sale to us works
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.
Your questions answered
My permission lapsed years ago. Is it still relevant?
Yes. An old permission shows the principle was once accepted, though current policy now applies.
How do you decide if a site is worth another attempt?
We look at the reasons for refusal, any appeal, current policy and the technical evidence, then give a straight view.
Which planning rules apply to land in Bristol?
As Bristol 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.
Do I need to pay anything to have land in Bristol assessed?
No. Our appraisal is free and there is no obligation to sell to us.