Sell strategic land and large sites in Dorset
We buy strategic land across Dorset, including around Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth. You deal with the buyer directly and there's no commission to pay.
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.
- Free appraisal and written offer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Dorset
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Large strategic sites in Dorset at a glance
Chalk downland and coast, much of it inside the Dorset National Landscape, with the South East Dorset green belt around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
| County | Dorset |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Towns we cover here | 10 |
| Main town | Bournemouth |
| Example postcode districts | BH1, BH15, BH17, BH21, BH22 |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
Is your land in Dorset 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 being considered in a local plan review
- Land without major heritage, ecology or flood constraints
- 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.
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.
Minimum price
A floor price protects you if values fall during a long planning process.
Term length
Longer agreements give more time for planning but tie up your land for longer.
Ways to sell this land
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- Your title number, if you know it
- Any planning applications or letters
Questions from landowners in Dorset
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.
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.
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 Dorset?
Yes. We consider land across Dorset, from Bournemouth to the smaller towns and villages. Whether we can make an offer depends on the land itself, and we'll tell you either way.
Large strategic sites by town in Dorset
Find out what we'd pay for your land in Dorset
Send the postcode and a rough size and we'll come back with a straight answer.