Sell strategic land and large sites in Torquay
If you own land around Torquay 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.
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
- Independent advice encouraged
Selling land near Torquay?
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Land around Torquay
Torquay lies in Devon, roughly 28 miles east of Plymouth. Nearby, we also look at land around Paignton (3 miles), Newton Abbot (6 miles) and Exmouth (12 miles).
A large rural county with Dartmoor and part of Exmoor, several national landscapes, and growth centred on Exeter, Plymouth and the market towns.
| Town | Torquay |
|---|---|
| County | Devon |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | TQ2 |
| OS grid square | SX96 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Paignton (3 mi), Newton Abbot (6 mi), Exmouth (12 mi) |
| Distance from Plymouth | About 28 miles east |
| 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 Torquay
- Blocks of land of several acres on the edge of towns and larger villages
- 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
If you own a large block of land next to a town, the right partner and the right agreement matter more than a fast headline price. We explain each structure and what it means for you.
How we arrive at a figure for land in Devon
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.
Minimum price
A floor price protects you if values fall during a long planning process.
Phasing
Large sites are often bought in phases, with payments staged to match.
Ways to sell this land
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.
What happens next
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode or address and a rough size.
We do the homework
We read the title and planning record and check flood risk and access.
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
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.
Farm tenancies
Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies have their own notice and compensation rules, which affect when land can be developed.
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
- The address or postcode
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
- Your title number, if you know it
Your questions answered
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.
How long do strategic land deals last?
Terms vary with the site and the plan timetable. Several years is common, with options to extend if planning is progressing.
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 Torquay?
Yes. Villages between Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot often have the kind of edge-of-settlement land we're looking for.
Other land in Torquay
- 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 Torquay
- Large strategic sites in Devon
Get a straight answer about your land
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.