Sell land subject to planning in Christchurch
If you own land in or around Christchurch, 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.
A subject-to-planning sale, or conditional contract, is a sale where contracts are exchanged now but completion only happens once an acceptable planning permission is granted. It lets you agree a price based on the land's value with permission, while the buyer pays for and manages the application.
- Figures explained, so you can check them
- No pressure to decide
- Independent advice encouraged
Tell us about your land
Send the postcode and a rough size.
Where Christchurch sits
From Christchurch, it's 4 miles to Bournemouth and 5 miles to New Milton. We buy land across that whole stretch of Dorset, not only within the town.
Chalk downland and coast, much of it inside the Dorset National Landscape, with the South East Dorset green belt around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
| Town | Christchurch |
|---|---|
| County | Dorset |
| Country | England |
| Postcode district | BH23 |
| OS grid square | SZ19 |
| Nearest towns we cover | Bournemouth (4 mi), New Milton (5 mi), Ferndown (7 mi) |
| Distance from Bournemouth | About 4 miles east |
| Planning system | National Planning Policy Framework and local plan |
| When you're paid | On completion, after permission is granted |
| Planning costs | Ours |
Who a subject-to-planning sale works best for
- Building plots and garden land without permission
- Small sites with a clear planning case
- Brownfield sites needing a housing permission
- Land with a registered title
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.
How the money works
Price basis
The price is set against the land's value with permission, so it's usually higher than an unconditional offer.
Long-stop date
If permission isn't granted by an agreed date, either side can end the contract.
Appeals
Contracts say whether we can appeal a refusal and how long that adds.
Your use meanwhile
You normally keep using the land until completion.
Land near Christchurch that a subject-to-planning sale suits
Land for affordable homes in Christchurch
The usual route: we agree a price and complete when permission is granted.
Infill plots and gap sites in Christchurch
The usual route for unconsented gap sites.
Brownfield land in Christchurch
We complete once permission is granted for a housing scheme.
Redundant commercial and industrial land in Christchurch
We complete once housing is approved, with your business using the site meanwhile.
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.
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.
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.
When the land isn't straightforward
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
- Details of any tenants or grazing agreements
- Photos of the land and its access
- How soon you'd ideally like to sell
Common questions
What is a subject-to-planning sale?
A sale where contracts are exchanged now, but completion depends on planning permission being granted. If it isn't granted by the long-stop date, the contract can end.
Who pays for the planning application?
We do, along with the surveys and consultants needed to support it.
Can I still use the land before completion?
Usually yes, until we need access for surveys or until completion.
Can you visit land near Christchurch?
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.
Other land types and routes
- Development land
- Land with planning permission
- Land without planning permission
- Large strategic sites
- 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
- Option agreements
- Joint ventures
- All land in Christchurch
- Subject-to-planning sale in Dorset
Get a straight answer about your land
Call 0800 088 6248 or send the details. There's no obligation.