Sell strategic land and large sites in Exeter
Whether your land is in Exeter itself or in the villages between Exeter and Heavitree, we'll look at it properly before making any offer.
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.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Exeter
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Exeter at a glance
From Exeter, it's 1 mile to Heavitree and 9 miles to Exmouth. We buy land across that whole stretch of Devon, not only within the town.
A large rural county with Dartmoor and part of Exmoor, several national landscapes, and growth centred on Exeter, Plymouth and the market towns.
| Town | Exeter |
|---|---|
| County | Devon |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | EX2 |
| OS grid square | SX99 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Heavitree (1 mi), Exmouth (9 mi), Tiverton (12 mi) |
| Distance from Plymouth | About 36 miles north-east |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
Is your land near Exeter a good fit?
- Blocks of land of several acres on the edge of towns and larger villages
- Sites that can be reached from a main road or a new junction
- Land without major heritage, ecology or flood constraints
- Sites close to schools, shops and public transport
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.
What affects the price
Local plan timing
A site that can be put forward at the next plan review has a clearer route to permission.
Infrastructure
New roads, schools or drainage on a large scheme are paid for out of land value.
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.
Choosing how to sell
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.
How a sale works
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We check it properly
Title, planning history, access, flood maps and local policy.
You get a written offer
With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.
The legal work
Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.
Rules that apply in England
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.
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.
Farm tenancies
Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies have their own notice and compensation rules, which affect when land can be developed.
Awkward details we deal with
Several family members own the land
We can work with all owners and their advisers, and agreements can set out how payments are split.
The land is farmed by a tenant
Tenancies need managing before building can start. We look at notice periods and compensation early.
Useful to send us
- The address or postcode
- Your title number, if you know it
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- Photos of the land and its access
What people ask us about strategic land
How is the price worked out on an option?
Most options set the price as a percentage of market value once permission is granted, less agreed deductions, with a minimum price to protect you. We explain every deduction before you sign.
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 cover the villages around Exeter?
Yes. Villages between Exeter, Heavitree and Exmouth often have the kind of edge-of-settlement land we're looking for.
More land we buy in Exeter
- 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 Exeter
- Large strategic sites in Devon
Find out what we'd pay for your land near Exeter
A free appraisal tells you what we'd pay and why.