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Sell land subject to planning in Reading

If you own land in or around Reading, subject-to-planning sale is one of four ways you can sell it to us. Here's how it works and when it makes sense.

If your land has a good chance of permission but doesn't have it yet, a subject-to-planning deal usually achieves more than an outright sale.

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

Selling land near Reading?

Free, no-obligation appraisal.

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Free and no obligation. We're the buyer, so there's no commission.

Land around Reading

From Reading, it's 3 miles to Lower Earley and 7 miles to Wokingham. We buy land across that whole stretch of Berkshire, not only within the town.

The Thames valley towns are under steady pressure for new homes. Much of east Berkshire is Metropolitan Green Belt, and the west takes in part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.

TownReading
CountyBerkshire
CountryEngland
Postcode districtRG1
OS grid squareSU77
Nearest towns we coverLower Earley (3 mi), Wokingham (7 mi), Crowthorne (10 mi)
Planning systemNational Planning Policy Framework and local plan
When you're paidOn completion, after permission is granted
Planning costsOurs
Land surveyor with a GNSS survey pole in a grass field next to a hedgerow

Is a subject-to-planning sale right for your land?

  • Building plots and garden land without permission
  • Land where a previous permission has lapsed
  • Brownfield sites needing a housing permission
  • Land with a registered title

This route suits most building plots, garden land and small sites, where the planning process can be measured in months rather than years.

How the money works

Acceptable permission

The contract defines what counts as an acceptable consent.

Deposit

A deposit is usually paid on exchange and held until completion.

Price adjustments

Some contracts adjust the price for the number of homes approved.

Your use meanwhile

You normally keep using the land until completion.

Land near Reading that a subject-to-planning sale suits

Development land in Reading

Lets you lock in a price now that is paid once we secure permission.

Land without planning permission in Reading

We exchange contracts now and complete once permission is granted.

Large strategic sites in Reading

A fixed or formula price paid once an acceptable permission is granted.

Small sites in Reading

The most common route for small unconsented sites.

From first call to completion

  1. Tell us about your land

    Send the postcode or address and a rough size.

  2. We do the homework

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

  3. You get a written offer

    With the main figures behind it, so your adviser can check it.

  4. The legal work

    Your solicitor and ours handle the contract through to completion.

What England's rules mean for your land

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.

Awkward details we deal with

You're worried about being tied up indefinitely

A long-stop date sets the maximum time. If permission isn't granted by then, you're free.

You want to know what 'acceptable' permission means

The contract defines it, such as a minimum number of homes. Your solicitor should check it carefully.

Useful to send us

  • A plan, or a screenshot from an online map
  • Your title number, if you know it
  • Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
  • How soon you'd ideally like to sell

Common questions

Who pays for the planning application?

We do, along with the surveys and consultants needed to support it.

What happens if planning is refused?

We may appeal if the contract allows. If permission isn't secured by the long-stop date, the contract ends and you keep your land.

Can I still use the land before completion?

Usually yes, until we need access for surveys or until completion.

How do I get an offer for land in Reading?

Use the form on this page or call 0800 088 6248. Tell us the postcode, the rough size and anything you know about planning, and we'll come back to you.

Also near Reading

More land we buy in Reading

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

A free appraisal tells you what we'd pay and why.

Get an offerCall 0800 088 6248