Sell strategic land and large sites in Burnley
Our interest in strategic land around Burnley is simple: we're buying land to build homes on, so we look for sites where homes are realistic and price them on that basis.
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.
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- No pressure to decide
- Independent advice encouraged
Get an offer for land in Burnley
Free, no-obligation appraisal.
Burnley at a glance
Burnley (BB11) sits in OS grid square SD83, about 19 miles east of Preston. Sites between here and Nelson or Accrington are just as much of interest to us.
| Town | Burnley |
|---|---|
| County | Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | BB11 |
| OS grid square | SD83 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Nelson (3 mi), Colne (5 mi), Accrington (6 mi) |
| Distance from Preston | About 19 miles 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 Burnley 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
- 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.
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.
Four routes to a sale
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.
From first call to completion
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.
What England's rules mean for your land
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.
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
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
- A rough size, in acres or hectares
- Any planning applications or letters
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- Photos of the land and its access
Common questions
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.
Do I pay for planning on strategic land?
Normally not. Under an option or conditional contract the buyer funds planning and technical work, and recovers those costs from the land price only if the agreement allows it.
Can I farm the land while planning is pursued?
Usually, yes. Agreements normally let you keep using the land until the buyer needs it.
Can you visit land near Burnley?
Yes. Once we've looked at the title and planning position, we arrange a site visit if the land looks suitable. Send the address or postcode to start.
Large strategic sites near Burnley
Other land in Burnley
- 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 Burnley
- Large strategic sites in Lancashire
Get a straight answer about your land
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.