Sell development land in Ely

We buy development land across Cambridgeshire. In Ely, as everywhere, the offer depends on the land itself: its access, its planning prospects and what can sensibly be built.

Development land is land where new homes or other buildings could realistically be built, either because it already has planning permission or because its location makes permission a reasonable prospect. We buy development land across England and Wales directly from the owner, so there is no agent's commission to pay.

Free appraisal and written offer
No commission: we're the buyer
Figures explained, so you can check them

Selling land near Ely?

Free, no-obligation appraisal.

Land around Ely

Our appraisals for Ely start with the CB7 postcode district and the OS grid square TL58, then widen out to Mildenhall, Newmarket and March, all within about 13 miles.

Flat arable fenland in the north contrasts with a fast-growing Cambridge area in the south, where the Cambridge green belt surrounds the city.

Town	Ely
County	Cambridgeshire
Country	England
Postcode district	CB7
OS grid square	TL58
Nearest towns we cover	Mildenhall (11 mi), Newmarket (12 mi), March (13 mi)
Distance from Peterborough	About 25 miles south-east
Planning system	National Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sell	Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture

Grass field beside the back gardens of a modern housing estate, with a field gate onto the road

What we look for around Ely

A safe point of access onto a public road, or a realistic way to create one
Sites from around a quarter of an acre upwards
Mains water, drainage and electricity nearby
Land with a planning history we can build on, even if earlier applications were refused

If you own a field or site on the edge of a settlement, you may be sitting on land a homebuilder wants. We look at the planning history, access and services, then tell you plainly whether we can make an offer and on what basis.

How we arrive at a figure for land in Cambridgeshire

Number of homes

Value follows how many homes the site can sensibly take once roads, open space and drainage are fitted in.

Planning obligations

Affordable housing, Section 106 contributions and, in some areas, CIL reduce what a buyer can pay for the land.

Ground and drainage

Poor ground, contamination or the need for a pumping station all add build cost that comes off the land price.

Local sale values

The price new homes will sell for nearby sets the ceiling on what the land is worth.

Ways to sell this land

Outright purchase

Best where permission is already granted and the title is clean.

Subject-to-planning sale

Lets you lock in a price now that is paid once we secure permission.

Option agreements

Suits larger fields where the planning route may take several years.

Joint ventures

Worth discussing if you want a share of the finished development value.

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.
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.

Green belt and grey belt

Green belt land is protected from inappropriate development. National policy in England also recognises 'grey belt': green belt land that doesn't strongly contribute to key green belt purposes, where housing can be acceptable if further tests are met.

Biodiversity net gain

Under the Environment Act 2021, most developments in England must deliver at least a 10% gain in biodiversity. Since 6 August 2026, sites of 0.2 hectares or less are exempt unless priority habitat is affected.

When the land isn't straightforward

The site has been refused planning before

A refusal tells us what the council objected to. We read the decision notice and judge whether a different scheme could answer it.

Part of the field floods

We map the flood zones and look at whether homes can sit on the drier part, with the rest used as open space.

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

How do I know if my land is development land?

Ask three questions: does it sit next to existing homes, can a car get onto it safely from a public road, and is it outside the worst flood risk? If the answer to all three is yes, it is worth an appraisal. We will tell you honestly if we don't think homes are achievable.

Do you buy development land without planning permission?

Yes. Without permission we usually buy on a subject-to-planning contract or an option, so the price reflects value with permission rather than farmland value. If you need a quick, unconditional sale, we can also make an outright offer that reflects the planning risk.

Should I get my own valuation?

We recommend it. An independent RICS valuer or land agent can tell you whether our offer is fair, and you are under no obligation to accept.

How do I get an offer for land in Ely?

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.

Ready to talk about your land in Ely?

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

Get an offer Call 0800 088 6248