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Sell land for affordable homes in South Shields

Our interest in land for affordable housing around South Shields is simple: we're buying land to build homes on, so we look for sites where homes are realistic and price them on that basis.

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.

  • No commission: we're the buyer
  • No pressure to decide
  • Independent advice encouraged

Get an offer for land in South Shields

Free, no-obligation appraisal.

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

Where South Shields sits

The land we're most interested in near South Shields sits on the edge of the built-up area or in the villages towards Tynemouth (1 mile) and North Shields (1 mile).

TownSouth Shields
CountyTyne and Wear
CountryEngland
Postcode districtNE33
OS grid squareNZ36
Nearest towns we coverTynemouth (1 mi), North Shields (1 mi), Jarrow (2 mi)
Distance from Newcastle upon TyneAbout 7 miles east
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 we look for around South Shields

  • Villages with evidence of local housing need
  • Sites with safe access and walking routes to village facilities
  • Land suitable for a handful of homes up to a small scheme
  • Parish councils open to a community-led scheme

Many landowners like the idea of land helping local families. We explain how exception sites work, what the price is based on and how local need is shown.

What affects the price

Housing need

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

Tenure mix

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

Access and services

Costs of roads and drainage come out of a smaller budget than market housing.

Long-term control

Legal agreements keep the homes affordable, often with local occupancy rules.

How a sale works

  1. Send us the address

    A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.

  2. We check it properly

    Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.

  3. You get a written offer

    With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.

  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 rough size, in acres or hectares
  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

What people ask us about land for affordable housing

Will I get open-market land value?

No. Exception sites are priced below open-market housing land because the homes must stay affordable. The price is still usually well above agricultural value.

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.

Who lives in the homes?

Usually people with a local connection who can't afford market housing, chosen under rules set in a legal agreement.

Do you cover the villages around South Shields?

Yes. Villages between South Shields, Tynemouth and North Shields often have the kind of edge-of-settlement land we're looking for.

Find out what we'd pay for your land near South Shields

Send the postcode and a rough size. We'll check the title and planning position and come back to you.