Sell brownfield land in Harpenden
We buy brownfield land across Hertfordshire. In Harpenden, as everywhere, the offer depends on the land itself: its access, its planning prospects and what can sensibly be built.
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.
- Free appraisal and written offer
- No pressure to decide
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Harpenden
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Land around Harpenden
Land around Harpenden falls under England's planning system. The closest towns we also cover are St Albans, 5 miles away, and Luton, 5 miles away, and Watford is 11 miles away.
Most of the county is Metropolitan Green Belt, which makes land with genuine development prospects scarce and keenly contested.
| Town | Harpenden |
|---|---|
| County | Hertfordshire |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | AL5 |
| OS grid square | TL11 |
| Nearest towns we cover | St Albans (5 mi), Luton (5 mi), Hemel Hempstead (6 mi) |
| Distance from Watford | About 11 miles north |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
Land we're keen to see around Harpenden
- Cleared sites with old hardstanding
- Sites on the council's brownfield land register
- Redundant commercial buildings in residential areas
- Sites next to canals, railways or town centres
We buy cleared sites, derelict buildings and yards, and price in the clean-up so you don't have to deal with it first.
What affects the price
Demolition
Removing buildings and old foundations is a significant cost on many sites.
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.
Viability
Councils may accept lower obligations where clean-up costs are high.
Ways to sell this land
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.
From first call to completion
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
We check it properly
Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.
You get a written offer
With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.
The legal work
Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.
Planning and legal points for land in Hertfordshire
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.
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.
Flood risk
Environment Agency flood maps and the sequential test steer new homes away from areas at highest risk of flooding.
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.
A previous buyer pulled out after surveys
We'd like to see any reports. Problems can often be priced rather than walked away from.
Useful to send us
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Any planning applications or letters
- Photos of the land and its access
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
What people ask us about brownfield land
What counts as brownfield land?
Land that has been occupied by a permanent structure and its associated fixed surface infrastructure. Some exceptions apply, such as agricultural buildings and residential gardens in built-up areas.
Will you buy a site with tenants?
Yes. We look at the leases and how and when vacant possession can be achieved.
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 Harpenden?
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.
Other land types and routes
- 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 Harpenden
- Brownfield land in Hertfordshire
Get a straight answer about your land
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.