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Sell land for affordable homes in Portland

If you own land around Portland and want a straight answer about it, we'll tell you whether we can buy it, on what terms, and what the offer is based on.

A rural exception site is a small site on the edge of a village, where housing would not normally be allowed, that can be granted permission for affordable homes to meet a local need. Land sold for this purpose usually achieves more than farmland value, though less than open-market housing land.

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

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Land around Portland

Portland (DT5) sits in OS grid square SY67, roughly 27 miles south-west of Bournemouth. Sites between here and Weymouth or Poole are just as much of interest to us.

TownPortland
CountyDorset
CountryEngland
Postcode districtDT5
OS grid squareSY67
Nearest towns we coverWeymouth (3 mi), Dorchester (10 mi), Poole (23 mi)
Distance from BournemouthAbout 27 miles south-west
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Small group of new brick homes with slate roofs on the edge of a village

What makes land for affordable housing near Portland worth an offer

  • Small fields or paddocks adjoining a village
  • Sites with safe access and walking routes to village facilities
  • Parish councils open to a community-led scheme
  • Land owned by families, estates, churches or charities

Exception sites work differently from normal housing land. The price is lower than open-market development land but well above agricultural value, and the homes stay affordable for the community.

What decides the value of land for affordable housing near Portland

Local policy

Each council sets its own rules for exception sites, including whether any market homes are allowed.

Housing need

A local housing needs survey usually has to show demand for the homes.

Land price norms

Exception site land is typically priced well above farmland but below open-market housing land.

Tenure mix

Social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership homes produce different values.

Choosing how to sell

Outright purchase

Possible once an exception scheme has permission.

Subject-to-planning sale

The usual route: we agree a price and complete when permission is granted.

Option agreements

Useful while housing need is evidenced and a scheme is prepared.

Joint ventures

Can suit estates and charities that want an ongoing say in the homes.

How a sale works

  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. 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.

Section 106 and CIL

Larger schemes often need a Section 106 agreement for affordable housing or contributions, and councils that have adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy charge it per square metre of new floorspace.

Rural exception sites

The National Planning Policy Framework supports small rural exception sites for affordable homes that meet a local need.

When the land isn't straightforward

The village has no recent housing survey

Need can be evidenced through a new survey with the parish council and the council's housing team.

You're a charity or trust

Charity trustees usually need advice from a designated adviser before disposing of land. We'll work with your adviser.

Useful to send us

  • The address or postcode
  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Your title number, if you know it
  • Any planning applications or letters

Questions from landowners near Portland

What is a rural exception site?

It is a small site, usually next to a village, where planning permission can be granted for affordable homes as an exception to normal policy, to meet a proven local need.

Do rural exception sites exist in Wales?

Yes. Welsh planning policy also supports rural exception sites for affordable housing that meets local need.

Can some homes be sold on the open market?

Some councils allow a small number of market homes to make a scheme viable. It depends on local policy.

Can you visit land near Portland?

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 Portland

More land we buy in Portland

Get a straight answer about your land

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Get an offerCall 0800 088 6248