Sell redundant commercial or industrial land
Redundant commercial and industrial land is a business site no longer needed for its original use, such as a small industrial unit, haulage yard or showroom. Where the site sits among homes, redevelopment for housing is often the best long-term use, subject to planning policy on employment land.
If your business has moved, closed or outgrown its premises, the site may be worth more as housing than as commercial space.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for your land
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll come back with a straight answer.
What we look for
- Small industrial units and yards in residential areas
- Haulage yards, builders' yards and depots
- Former showrooms, garages and workshops
- Sites a business is relocating from
- Commercial buildings with permitted development potential
- Sites with a mix of buildings and open storage
- Businesses looking for a sale and short leaseback
We buy small commercial and industrial sites, including those still occupied, and plan a route to vacant possession that fits your timetable.
What affects the price of redundant commercial land
Employment land policy
Some councils require evidence that commercial use is no longer viable before allowing homes.
Existing use value
A let or lettable commercial site has a value that a housing offer must exceed.
Permitted development
Some commercial buildings can change to homes through prior approval, within limits.
Demolition and contamination
Industrial uses can leave contamination that needs investigating.
Leases
Occupational leases and security of tenure affect timing.
Neighbours
Homes next to retained businesses need careful design for noise.
Access
Commercial access often works well for housing, which helps value.
Ways to sell redundant commercial land
Councils sometimes protect employment land, so we check the policy position before assuming a site can change to housing.
When the land isn't straightforward
You still need the premises for now
A conditional deal or a short leaseback lets you keep operating until you're ready to move.
The council protects employment land
We look at marketing evidence and viability. Some sites won't qualify, and we'll say so.
There are underground tanks
Fuel tanks are common on old garage and depot sites. We arrange removal as part of the works.
What happens next
Tell us about your land
Send the address or postcode, a rough size and anything you know about planning. A plan or a photo helps but isn't essential.
We check it properly
We look at the title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy, then call you to talk it through.
You get a written offer
We put the offer in writing with the main figures behind it, so you or your adviser can check it. There's no obligation and no deadline we impose.
Solicitors do the legal work
Your solicitor and ours deal with the contract. On an outright sale we exchange and complete; on a conditional deal we exchange now and complete when the condition is met.
England and Wales: what's different
We buy land in both countries. These are the rules most likely to affect redundant commercial land.
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.
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.
Tax on the sale
The buyer pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. As the seller you may owe capital gains tax, and some commercial land carries VAT. Take advice from an accountant.
Wales
Planning framework
Planning in Wales follows Planning Policy Wales, the national plan Future Wales and the Local Development Plan, prepared by the council or, in a national park, the park authority. When plans are reviewed, landowners can put land forward as a candidate site.
Previously developed land
Welsh policy prefers reusing suitable previously developed land in sustainable locations before greenfield sites.
Tax on the sale
In Wales the buyer pays Land Transaction Tax rather than Stamp Duty. As the seller you may owe capital gains tax. Take advice from an accountant.
Questions about redundant commercial land
Can a commercial site be redeveloped for housing?
Often, subject to the council's policies on protecting employment land, plus the usual planning tests.
Can I keep running my business after selling?
Yes, through a conditional contract or a short leaseback agreed as part of the deal.
Do you buy sites with tenants in place?
Yes. We review the leases and allow for the time and cost of obtaining vacant possession.
What is prior approval for commercial to residential?
In England, permitted development rights allow some commercial buildings to change to homes through a prior approval process, within set limits.
Will contamination stop a sale?
Rarely. It usually affects the price and the timetable rather than whether we buy.
Do I pay VAT on the sale?
Commercial property can be subject to VAT if an option to tax has been made. Ask your accountant and tell your solicitor early.
Related guides
Redundant commercial and industrial land by county
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- County Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Wales
Find out what we'd pay for your land
Send us the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back with a straight answer.