Sell strategic land and large sites in Barnstaple
Our interest in strategic land around Barnstaple 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.
Strategic land is a larger site, usually several acres or more, whose development depends on being allocated in a local plan or winning a major planning permission. Because that can take years, strategic land is usually sold on an option or a conditional contract rather than outright.
- Free appraisal and written offer
- No commission: we're the buyer
- No pressure to decide
Tell us about your land
We'll check the title and planning, then call you.
Barnstaple at a glance
Barnstaple lies in Devon, roughly 49 miles north of Plymouth. Nearby, we also look at land around Bideford (8 miles), Tiverton (28 miles) and Porthcawl (32 miles).
| Town | Barnstaple |
|---|---|
| County | Devon |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | EX31 |
| OS grid square | SS53 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Bideford (8 mi), Tiverton (28 mi), Porthcawl (32 mi) |
| Distance from Plymouth | About 49 miles north |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
Land we're keen to see around Barnstaple
- Land being considered in a local plan review
- Holdings in a single ownership, or neighbours willing to work together
- Sites close to schools, shops and public transport
- Land where a phased scheme could start on a smaller first phase
Large sites on the edge of towns are where much of the country's new housing ends up. Getting there takes local plan promotion, technical studies and patience, and the deal needs to reflect that.
How we arrive at a figure for land in Devon
Local plan timing
A site that can be put forward at the next plan review has a clearer route to permission.
Landowner collaboration
Neighbouring owners agreeing to work together can unlock access and better layouts.
Price mechanism
Options and conditional contracts usually pay a share of market value at the time permission is granted.
Phasing
Large sites are often bought in phases, with payments staged to match.
Four routes to a sale
Outright purchase
Rare on unallocated strategic land, but possible at a risk-adjusted price.
Subject-to-planning sale
A fixed or formula price paid once an acceptable permission is granted.
Option agreements
The usual route: an option fee now and a price based on market value later.
Joint ventures
Lets you share in the development value if you can wait for it.
From first call to completion
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
We check it properly
Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.
We put an offer in writing
It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.
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.
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.
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
Several family members own the land
We can work with all owners and their advisers, and agreements can set out how payments are split.
You are worried about being tied up for years
We agree a term with clear milestones, so the agreement can end if planning stalls.
Useful to send us
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Any planning applications or letters
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- Photos of the land and its access
What people ask us about strategic land
What counts as strategic land?
There's no legal definition. In practice it means larger sites, often over five acres, whose route to development runs through the local plan or a major planning application.
Can I farm the land while planning is pursued?
Usually, yes. Agreements normally let you keep using the land until the buyer needs it.
Should I take independent advice?
Yes. Strategic land agreements are complex and you should have your own solicitor and, ideally, a land agent or surveyor. Some agreements contribute to those costs; we will say up front whether ours does.
Do you buy land in Barnstaple?
Yes. We consider land in and around Barnstaple and across Devon. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, especially its access and planning prospects, and we'll tell you either way.
Other land in Barnstaple
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Land for affordable homes
- Farmland and agricultural land
- Paddocks and equestrian land
- Barns and rural buildings
- Building plots
- Garden land and backland
- Infill plots and gap sites
- Small sites
- Garage sites
- Brownfield land
- Redundant commercial and industrial land
- Inherited and probate land
- Landlocked land and access problems
- Outright purchase
- Subject-to-planning sale
- Option agreements
- Joint ventures
- All land in Barnstaple
- Large strategic sites in Devon
Ready to talk about your land in Barnstaple?
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.