Sell brownfield land in Durham
If you own brownfield land near Durham, we can usually tell you quite quickly whether it suits us, and if it doesn't, we'll say why.
If your site has sat empty because it looks too complicated, we'll investigate the ground and planning position and give you a straight offer.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Durham
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Where Durham sits
The land we're most interested in near Durham sits on the edge of the built-up area or in the villages towards Chester-le-Street (6 miles) and Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles).
| Town | Durham |
|---|---|
| County | County Durham |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | DH1 |
| OS grid square | NZ24 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Chester-le-Street (6 mi), Houghton-le-Spring (6 mi), Stanley (8 mi) |
| Distance from Darlington | About 17 miles north |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
What makes brownfield land near Durham worth an offer
- Cleared sites with old hardstanding
- Sites on the council's brownfield land register
- Sites next to canals, railways or town centres
- Sites where previous schemes stalled
Brownfield sites often carry baggage: contamination, old foundations, tricky neighbours. They're also some of the best places for new homes, and policy generally supports their reuse.
How we arrive at a figure for land in County Durham
Contamination
Investigation and remediation costs come straight off the land value.
Brownfield register
Inclusion on the council's brownfield land register can support permission in principle.
Existing use value
If the site has a viable current use, that sets the floor for an offer.
Flood risk
Many brownfield sites are near rivers and canals, so flood risk is checked early.
Choosing how to sell
Outright purchase
We take on the site and its problems for an agreed price.
Subject-to-planning sale
We complete once permission is granted for a housing scheme.
Option agreements
Can suit larger brownfield sites with a longer planning route.
Joint ventures
Worth discussing if you want to share in the regeneration value.
What happens next
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
We do the homework
We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.
We put an offer in writing
It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.
Solicitors complete the sale
Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.
Rules that apply in England
Planning framework
Planning decisions in England follow the National Planning Policy Framework, revised in August 2026, and the local plan, prepared by the council or, in a national park, the park authority. Plans are reviewed periodically, which is when new housing sites are usually allocated.
Section 106 and CIL
Larger schemes often need a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing or contributions, and councils that have adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy charge it per square metre of new floorspace.
Brownfield first
National policy gives substantial weight to reusing suitable brownfield land for homes. Councils keep brownfield land registers, and some sites can gain permission in principle.
When the land isn't straightforward
You're worried about contamination liability
Contracts can deal with who takes responsibility for contamination. Take advice from your solicitor on the wording.
The buildings are being vandalised
A quick exchange can transfer risk and security responsibility sooner. We'll talk through timing.
Useful to send us
- Your title number, if you know it
- Any planning applications or letters
- Photos of the land and its access
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
Questions from landowners near Durham
Do you buy contaminated land?
Yes. We investigate and price the remediation, so you don't need to clean the site first.
What is a brownfield land register?
In England, councils keep a register of brownfield sites they consider suitable for housing. Being on it can help the planning case.
Do I need a contamination report before selling?
No, though any reports you have will help us price more accurately.
Can you visit land near Durham?
Yes. Once we've looked at the title and planning position, we arrange a site visit if the land looks suitable. Send the address or postcode to start.
Brownfield land near Durham
More land we buy in Durham
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Large strategic sites
- Green belt and grey belt land
- Land for affordable homes
- Farmland and agricultural land
- Paddocks and equestrian land
- Barns and rural buildings
- Building plots
- Garden land and backland
- Infill plots and gap sites
- Small sites
- Garage sites
- Redundant commercial and industrial land
- Inherited and probate land
- Landlocked land and access problems
- Outright purchase
- Subject-to-planning sale
- Option agreements
- Joint ventures
- All land in Durham
- Brownfield land in County Durham
Get a straight answer about your land
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.