Sell redundant commercial or industrial land in Christchurch
Whether your land is in Christchurch itself or in the villages between Christchurch and Bournemouth, we'll look at it properly before making any offer.
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.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Christchurch
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Land around Christchurch
Our appraisals for Christchurch start with the BH23 postcode district and the OS grid square SZ19, then widen out to Bournemouth, New Milton and Ferndown, all within about 7 miles.
| Town | Christchurch |
|---|---|
| County | Dorset |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | BH23 |
| OS grid square | SZ19 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Bournemouth (4 mi), New Milton (5 mi), Ferndown (7 mi) |
| Distance from Bournemouth | About 4 miles east |
| 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 Christchurch
- Haulage yards, builders' yards and depots
- Former showrooms, garages and workshops
- Commercial buildings with permitted development potential
- Businesses looking for a sale and short leaseback
If your business has moved, closed or outgrown its premises, the site may be worth more as housing than as commercial space.
What affects the price
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.
Access
Commercial access often works well for housing, which helps value.
Choosing how to sell
From first call to completion
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We do the homework
We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.
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 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
- The address or postcode
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Any planning applications or letters
Common questions
Can a commercial site be redeveloped for housing?
Often, subject to the council's policies on protecting employment land, plus the usual planning tests.
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.
Do you buy land in Christchurch?
Yes. We consider land in and around Christchurch and across Dorset. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, especially its access and planning prospects, and we'll tell you either way.
Other land in Christchurch
- 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 Christchurch
- Redundant commercial and industrial land in Dorset
Ready to talk about your land in Christchurch?
Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.