Land we buyWays to sellAreasGuidesAbout Contact Get an offer

Sell strategic land and large sites in Portland

If you want to sell strategic land and large sites in Portland, 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.

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.

  • Free appraisal and written offer
  • No pressure to decide
  • Independent advice encouraged

Get an offer for land in Portland

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.

Land around Portland

The land we're most interested in near Portland sits on the edge of the built-up area or in the villages towards Weymouth (3 miles) and Dorchester (10 miles).

TownPortland
CountyDorset
CountryEngland
Postcode districtDT5
OS grid squareSY67
Nearest towns we coverWeymouth (3 mi), Dorchester (10 mi), Poole (23 mi)
Distance from BournemouthAbout 27 miles south-west
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
Ways to sellOutright, subject to planning, option or joint venture
Aerial view of several farm fields between a market town and a ring road

Land we're keen to see around Portland

  • Sites that can be reached from a main road or a new junction
  • 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

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 Dorset

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.

How a sale works

  1. Send us the address

    A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.

  2. We do the homework

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

  3. We put an offer in writing

    It shows how we got there. There's no obligation to accept.

  4. 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.

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.

Farm tenancies

Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies have their own notice and compensation rules, which affect when land can be developed.

When the land isn't straightforward

The land is farmed by a tenant

Tenancies need managing before building can start. We look at notice periods and compensation early.

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 plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Any planning applications or letters
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

Questions from landowners near Portland

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 buy land in Portland?

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

Find out what we'd pay for your land near Portland

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