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Sell barns and rural buildings in Sunderland

If you own barns and rural buildings near Sunderland, we can usually tell you quite quickly whether it suits us, and if it doesn't, we'll say why.

Barns and rural buildings range from traditional brick and stone barns to modern steel-framed sheds. Many can be converted to homes or replaced with new ones, either through a full planning application or, in England, through prior approval under permitted development rights.

  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • No pressure to decide
  • Independent advice encouraged

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Sunderland at a glance

Sunderland lies in Tyne and Wear, about 10 miles south-east of Newcastle upon Tyne. Nearby, we also look at land around Seaham (5 miles), Washington (5 miles) and Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles).

Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead and the surrounding boroughs, with brownfield land in the urban core and green belt on the fringe.

TownSunderland
CountyTyne and Wear
CountryEngland
Postcode districtSR1
OS grid squareNZ35
Nearest towns we coverSeaham (5 mi), Washington (5 mi), Houghton-le-Spring (6 mi)
Distance from Newcastle upon TyneAbout 10 miles south-east
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Traditional red-brick barn beside a modern green steel agricultural building in a farmyard

What we look for around Sunderland

  • Traditional brick, stone or timber barns
  • Modern steel-framed agricultural buildings no longer needed
  • Buildings with existing road access
  • Buildings already granted planning permission

Redundant farm buildings can be worth far more as homes than as storage. The route to consent depends on the building, its location and whether you're in England or Wales.

How we arrive at a figure for land in Tyne and Wear

Structural condition

Conversions generally need a building strong enough to convert without rebuilding.

Protected species

Bats and barn owls are common in old barns and surveys may be needed.

Agricultural use history

Class Q rights depend on the building's past agricultural use.

Retained land

Selling buildings from a working farm needs rights carefully reserved.

Ways to sell this land

Outright purchase

Suits buildings with consent or prior approval already in place.

Subject-to-planning sale

We complete once planning consent is secured.

Option agreements

Less common for single buildings but can suit whole farmyards.

Joint ventures

Worth considering for a larger yard you'd like to see developed well.

From first call to completion

  1. Send us the address

    A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.

  2. We check it properly

    Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.

  3. You get a written offer

    With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.

  4. Solicitors complete the sale

    Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.

Planning and legal points for land in Tyne and Wear

Agricultural buildings (Class Q)

In England, Class Q permitted development can allow some agricultural buildings to become homes through prior approval, within limits on size and number of homes.

Heritage

Listed buildings and conservation areas are managed with Historic England and the council's conservation team.

Farm tenancies

Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies have their own notice and compensation rules, which affect when land can be developed.

Awkward details we deal with

You're not sure Class Q applies

In England, Class Q has detailed limits and conditions. We check eligibility before assuming it.

The barn is listed

Listed barns can still be converted with consent, but the design must respect the building.

Useful to send us

  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Any planning applications or letters
  • Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
  • Photos of the land and its access

Questions from landowners near Sunderland

Will you buy a barn in poor condition?

Yes, but condition affects the planning route and the cost, so it affects the price.

Can I sell buildings and keep the land around them?

Yes. We can agree a boundary that suits both of us, with access rights protected.

What if bats are present?

Bat roosts don't usually stop a conversion, but they need surveys, licences and timing. We allow for this in the offer.

Do you cover the villages around Sunderland?

Yes. Villages between Sunderland, Seaham and Washington often have the kind of edge-of-settlement land we're looking for.

Also near Sunderland

Other land in Sunderland

Ready to talk about your land in Sunderland?

A free appraisal tells you what we'd pay and why.

Get an offerCall 0800 088 6248