Small sites wanted in Ely
We are actively looking for small sites in Ely and the surrounding area, with or without planning permission.
Small sites are plots for roughly one to nine homes. They are quicker to plan and build than large schemes and national policy encourages councils to bring more of them forward. We buy small sites with or without planning.
- Size
- About 1 to 9 homes
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
The small sites that interests us around Ely
Small sites in and around Ely are central to what we look for, from corner plots to the odd field on the edge of a nearby village. Ely is in Cambridgeshire, about 15 miles north-east of Cambridge. Nearby places include Newmarket, March and St Ives.
- Corner plots and side gardens with road frontage
- Small fields or paddocks next to villages
- Sites where an earlier application can be improved
- Land within or touching a settlement boundary
Water supply and wastewater capacity have been recurring issues for growth around Cambridge, and Fenland sites usually need careful flood risk evidence. Away from the city, small sites on the edges of villages and market towns along the A14, A10 and A1 corridors are a common source of new housing land.
What decides whether a site in Ely works
Design fit
A small scheme has to suit the street and the neighbours.
Access
Even small sites need a safe access and parking.
Drainage
Sustainable drainage and sewer connections can still be significant on small sites.
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.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 92 miles from Ely, and we travel to see sites across England and Wales.
Choosing how to sell
Outright purchase
We agree a price and buy the land, with no planning condition attached.
Outright purchaseSubject-to-planning contract
Popular for small plots: you only sell once permission is granted.
Subject-to-planning contractHow 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.
Questions owners in Ely ask
Do small sites need affordable housing?
In England, affordable housing is generally sought on major development of ten or more homes, though some rural areas set lower thresholds. In Wales, many Local Development Plans seek contributions from smaller sites, sometimes from a single home.
How quickly can you give a view?
For a small site with a clear plan and photos, we can usually say quickly whether it is worth pursuing and how.
Do you buy small sites in Ely?
Yes. We buy small sites in Ely and throughout Cambridgeshire, 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 Ely?
As Ely 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.