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Sell redundant commercial or industrial land in Dorset

Owners of redundant commercial land in Dorset can sell directly to us, whether the land is near Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth or in the villages between.

Councils sometimes protect employment land, so we check the policy position before assuming a site can change to housing.

  • No commission: we're the buyer
  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • No pressure to decide

Get an offer for land in Dorset

Send the postcode and a rough size.

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Free and no obligation. We're the buyer, so there's no commission.

Redundant commercial and industrial land in Dorset at a glance

Chalk downland and coast, much of it inside the Dorset National Landscape, with the South East Dorset green belt around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

CountyDorset
CountryEngland
Towns we cover here10
Main townBournemouth
Example postcode districtsBH1, BH15, BH17, BH21, BH22
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Redundant small industrial yard with a grey steel shed, gravel yard and chain-link fence

What we look for in Dorset

  • 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.

The things that move our offer

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.

Demolition and contamination

Industrial uses can leave contamination that needs investigating.

Leases

Occupational leases and security of tenure affect timing.

What happens next

  1. Send us the address

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

  2. We do the homework

    We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.

  3. You get a written offer

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

  4. The legal work

    Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.

Planning and legal points for land in Dorset

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.

Common problems, and how we handle them

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.

Useful to send us

  • A rough size, in acres or hectares
  • Any planning applications or letters
  • Photos of the land and its access
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

Your questions answered

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 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 buy land in Dorset?

Yes. We consider land across Dorset, from Bournemouth to the smaller towns and villages. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, and we'll tell you either way.

Find out what we'd pay for your land in Dorset

Send the postcode and a rough size and we'll come back with a straight answer.