Sell redundant commercial or industrial land in Durham
Our interest in redundant commercial land around Durham is simple: we're buying land to build homes on, so we look for sites where homes are realistic and price them on that basis.
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.
- Free appraisal and written offer
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Durham
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Land around Durham
Durham lies in County Durham, about 17 miles north of Darlington. Nearby, we also look at land around Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles) and Stanley (8 miles).
Former coalfield villages in the east, the North Pennines National Landscape to the west, and green belt around Durham city linking with Tyne and Wear.
| 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 we look for around Durham
- Haulage yards, builders' yards and depots
- Former showrooms, garages and workshops
- Sites a business is relocating from
- Businesses looking for a sale and short leaseback
Councils sometimes protect employment land, so we check the policy position before assuming a site can change to housing.
The things that move our offer
Employment land policy
Some councils require evidence that commercial use is no longer viable before allowing homes.
Demolition and contamination
Industrial uses can leave contamination that needs investigating.
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 this land
From first call to completion
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.
The legal work
Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.
Planning and legal points for land in County Durham
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.
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.
There are underground tanks
Fuel tanks are common on old garage and depot sites. We arrange removal as part of the works.
Useful to send us
- The address or postcode
- Your title number, if you know it
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
Questions from landowners near Durham
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.
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.
Do you cover the villages around Durham?
Yes. Villages between Durham, Chester-le-Street and Houghton-le-Spring often have the kind of edge-of-settlement land we're looking for.
Redundant commercial and industrial land near Durham
Other land 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
- Brownfield land
- Inherited and probate land
- Landlocked land and access problems
- Outright purchase
- Subject-to-planning sale
- Option agreements
- Joint ventures
- All land in Durham
- Redundant commercial and industrial land in County Durham
Ready to talk about your land in Durham?
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.