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Sell a garage site in Durham

For owners of garage sites in and around Durham, we offer four ways to sell, from a clean outright purchase to deals that pay more once planning is granted.

A garage site is a block or court of lock-up garages, often built in the 1960s and 1970s behind houses or flats. Many are now underused, and their access and hardstanding can make them good sites for a small number of new homes.

  • No commission: we're the buyer
  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • Independent advice encouraged

Selling land near Durham?

We'll check the title and planning, then call you.

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

Durham at a glance

From Durham, it's 6 miles to Chester-le-Street and 6 miles to Houghton-le-Spring. We buy land across that whole stretch of County Durham, not only within the town.

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.

TownDurham
CountyCounty Durham
CountryEngland
Postcode districtDH1
OS grid squareNZ24
Nearest towns we coverChester-le-Street (6 mi), Houghton-le-Spring (6 mi), Stanley (8 mi)
Distance from DarlingtonAbout 17 miles north
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Row of old lock-up garages with up-and-over doors around a tarmac court

What we look for around Durham

  • Sites with an existing access onto a public road
  • Garages owned by individuals, companies or associations
  • Sites where neighbours have rights to use the access
  • Garage sites already granted permission

Lock-up garages are often too small for modern cars and expensive to maintain. As a housing site, a garage court can be worth considerably more.

What affects the price

Access width

The existing access must be safe for homes, including for emergency vehicles.

Rights of others

Neighbours may have rights to use the access or park, which must be respected.

Contamination

Old fuel, oil and asbestos roofs need checking and safe removal.

Previously developed land

Garage courts are usually treated as brownfield, which can help planning.

Ways to sell this land

Outright purchase

Suits sites with consent or owners who want a clean exit.

Subject-to-planning sale

The most common route for garage courts.

Option agreements

Rarely needed unless several garage owners are involved.

Joint ventures

Possible for larger courts.

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. We put an offer in writing

    It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.

  4. Solicitors complete the sale

    Exchange and complete, or exchange now and complete when planning is granted.

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.

Land registration

Land in England is registered with HM Land Registry. Unregistered land needs first registration when it's sold, which your solicitor arranges.

Awkward details we deal with

Some garages are let

We look at the terms. Licences often end on short notice, which we allow for in the timescale.

Neighbours use the access

We check existing rights and design around them.

Useful to send us

  • The address or postcode
  • Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
  • Photos of the land and its access
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

Common questions

What happens to people who rent the garages?

It depends on their agreements. Most are licences that end on notice, which we plan for with you.

Do you buy single garages?

Usually not on their own, unless combined with other land to make a site.

Is a garage court brownfield land?

Usually it's treated as previously developed land, which can help the planning case.

Can you visit land near Durham?

Yes. Once we've looked at the title and planning position, we arrange a site visit if the land looks suitable. Send the address or postcode to start.

Also near Durham

Other land types and routes

Get a straight answer about your land

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

Get an offerCall 0800 088 6248