Sell strategic land and large sites in Wigan
We buy strategic land across Greater Manchester. In Wigan, as everywhere, the offer depends on the land itself: its access, its planning prospects and what can sensibly be built.
Strategic land is a long game. We set out the planning route, who pays for what, and how the final price is worked out before you commit to anything.
- No commission: we're the buyer
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- Independent advice encouraged
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Where Wigan sits
The land we're most interested in near Wigan sits on the edge of the built-up area or in the villages towards Hindley (2 miles) and Ashton-in-Makerfield (4 miles).
A dense urban core where most new homes are on brownfield land, with green belt on the edges climbing towards the Pennines.
| Town | Wigan |
|---|---|
| County | Greater Manchester |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | WN1 |
| OS grid square | SD50 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Hindley (2 mi), Ashton-in-Makerfield (4 mi), Westhoughton (5 mi) |
| Distance from Manchester | About 17 miles west |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| Ways to sell | Outright, subject to planning, option or joint venture |
What makes strategic land near Wigan worth an offer
- 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
- 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.
The things that move our offer
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.
Term length
Longer agreements give more time for planning but tie up your land for longer.
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.
How a sale works
Send us the address
A postcode, a plan or a what3words location is enough to start.
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.
What England's rules mean for your land
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.
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 rough size, in acres or hectares
- Your title number, if you know it
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
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.
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.
Can I farm the land while planning is pursued?
Usually, yes. Agreements normally let you keep using the land until the buyer needs it.
Do you cover the villages around Wigan?
Yes. Villages between Wigan, Hindley and Ashton-in-Makerfield often have the kind of edge-of-settlement land we're looking for.
Other land in Wigan
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Green belt and grey belt land
- 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 Wigan
- Large strategic sites in Greater Manchester
Get a straight answer about your land
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.