Sell redundant commercial or industrial land in Portsmouth

Thinking about whether to sell redundant commercial or industrial land in Portsmouth? A free appraisal tells you what we'd pay and how we got there, with no obligation to go further.

If your business has moved, closed or outgrown its premises, the site may be worth more as housing than as commercial space.

Figures explained, so you can check them
No pressure to decide
Independent advice encouraged

Get an offer for land in Portsmouth

Send the postcode and a rough size.

Land around Portsmouth

Land around Portsmouth falls under England's planning system. The closest towns we also cover are Gosport, 2 miles away, and Fareham, 5 miles away, and Southampton is 15 miles away.

Home to the New Forest and part of the South Downs National Park, with growth around Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke and the market towns.

Town	Portsmouth
County	Hampshire
Country	England
Postcode district	PO5
OS grid square	SU60
Nearest towns we cover	Gosport (2 mi), Fareham (5 mi), Ryde (6 mi)
Distance from Southampton	About 15 miles south-east
Planning system	National Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sell	Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture

Redundant small industrial yard with a grey steel shed, gravel yard and chain-link fence

Land we're keen to see around Portsmouth

Small industrial units and yards in residential areas
Haulage yards, builders' yards and depots
Sites a business is relocating from
Commercial buildings with permitted development potential

If your business has moved, closed or outgrown its premises, the site may be worth more as housing than as commercial space.

The things that move our offer

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.

Leases

Occupational leases and security of tenure affect timing.

Neighbours

Homes next to retained businesses need careful design for noise.

Choosing how to sell

Outright purchase

A clean exit for business owners, sometimes with a short leaseback.

Subject-to-planning sale

We complete once housing is approved, with your business using the site meanwhile.

Option agreements

Useful where vacant possession is some way off.

From first call to completion

Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
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.

What England's rules mean for your land

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

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 plan, or a screenshot from an online map
Any planning applications or letters
How soon you'd ideally like to sell

Your questions answered

Can I keep running my business after selling?

Yes, through a conditional contract or a short leaseback agreed as part of the deal.

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 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.

How do I get an offer for land in Portsmouth?

Use the form on this page or call 0800 088 6248. Tell us the postcode, the rough size and anything you know about planning, and we'll come back to you.

Find out what we'd pay for your land near Portsmouth

Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.

Get an offer Call 0800 088 6248