Land we buyWays to sellAreasGuidesAbout Contact Get an offer

Sell a small development site in York

If you want to sell a small development site in York, you can deal with the buyer directly. We look at the land, explain what it's worth and why, and leave the decision with you.

Government policy has repeatedly emphasised the role of small sites in housing supply. We'll check how your council's plan supports them.

  • No commission: we're the buyer
  • Figures explained, so you can check them
  • No pressure to decide

Selling land near York?

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

Please enter your name.
Please enter a UK phone number.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter a postcode, or at least the first half.
Please tick the box so we can contact you.

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

York at a glance

York lies in North Yorkshire, where it is the main town we cover. Nearby, we also look at land around Selby (12 miles), Harrogate (19 miles) and Goole (19 miles).

England's largest county, taking in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, with green belt around York.

TownYork
CountyNorth Yorkshire
CountryEngland
Postcode districtYO1
OS grid squareSE65
Nearest towns we coverSelby (12 mi), Harrogate (19 mi), Goole (19 mi)
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Small grassy corner plot with mature trees at the end of a cul-de-sac of brick houses

Land we're keen to see around York

  • Sites for two to around nine homes
  • Corner plots, odd-shaped parcels and leftover land
  • Sites with an existing permission for a small scheme
  • Small sites in villages where policy supports limited growth

Government policy has repeatedly emphasised the role of small sites in housing supply. We'll check how your council's plan supports them.

What affects the price

Number of homes

Each additional home a site can take adds value, if the layout works.

Trees and boundaries

Mature trees and hedges on small sites have a big effect on layout.

Biodiversity net gain

Since 6 August 2026, sites of 0.2 hectares or less are exempt unless priority habitat is affected; larger sites must still deliver at least a 10% gain.

Build costs

Small sites cost more per home to build, which the land price reflects.

What happens next

  1. Tell us about your land

    Send the postcode or address and a rough size.

  2. We do the homework

    We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.

  3. You get a written offer

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

  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.

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.

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.

Common problems, and how we handle them

The site is an awkward shape

Odd shapes often still work for a short terrace or a pair of homes. We test layouts before offering.

There's a protected tree

We design around it and allow for root protection areas.

Useful to send us

  • The address or postcode
  • A rough size, in acres or hectares
  • Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
  • Photos of the land and its access

Questions from landowners near York

What is a small site?

Usually a site for fewer than ten homes. Definitions vary, but these are the sites larger builders often pass over.

Do small sites need affordable housing?

In England, national policy generally doesn't seek affordable housing on schemes below ten homes, though some rural areas set lower thresholds. In Wales, many Local Development Plans seek contributions from smaller sites. We check the local policy.

Will you build the homes yourselves?

That's the aim of the land-to-homes work we're setting out to do: buying the land, getting permission and building the homes.

Do you buy land in York?

Yes. We consider land in and around York and across North Yorkshire. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, especially its access and planning prospects, and we'll tell you either way.

Ready to talk about your land in York?

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