Land and new homes in Exeter
Land to Homes buys land and partners with landowners in Exeter, then takes suitable sites through planning, design and construction to new homes for sale, for rent and for affordable housing. Landowners start with a free site appraisal; home seekers can register their interest.
Exeter · EX2Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Exeter at a glance
Exeter (EX2) is one of the Devon towns we cover, about 36 miles north-east of Plymouth. Close by, our coverage also takes in Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot. Exeter is in the South West region of England.
Sites worth a conversation around Exeter: former garage blocks and yards, paddocks on the edge of Exeter and backland plots with a workable access. In England, where Exeter sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
If you own land near Exeter, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Services in Exeter
For landowners
- Sell Land for Development in Exeter
- Sell Land with Planning Permission in Exeter
- Sell Land Without Planning in Exeter
- Land Option Agreements in Exeter
- Land Promotion Agreements in Exeter
- Landowner Joint Ventures in Exeter
- Sell Garden Land and Backland in Exeter
- Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Exeter
- Sell Brownfield Land in Exeter
- Sell an Infill Plot in Exeter
- Land Assembly and Access in Exeter
- Free Site Appraisal in Exeter
- Sell a Building for Conversion in Exeter
Planning, design and build
- Planning Permission and Strategy in Exeter
- Architecture and Masterplanning in Exeter
- New Home Construction in Exeter
- Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Exeter
New homes and housing
- New-Build Homes for Sale in Exeter
- New Homes to Rent in Exeter
- Affordable Housing in Exeter
- Social Housing in Exeter
- Council and Housing Partnerships in Exeter
Funders and partners
The English system, as it applies in Exeter
If your land near Exeter lies in the Green Belt, national policy still protects it, but England's planning framework now recognises grey belt: Green Belt land that is previously developed or does not strongly contribute to certain Green Belt purposes. Where there is evidenced unmet need and the location is sustainable, grey belt housing can be acceptable, with major schemes meeting the Golden Rules on affordable housing, infrastructure and green space. Planning is never guaranteed, so we check policy, access and constraints first.
Affordable homes in Exeter are usually funded through a mix of Section 106 contributions from market schemes and grant from Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026 to 2036, or from the Greater London Authority in London. Registered providers, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, own and manage most of them. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes for councils and housing associations, including homes for Social Rent.
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Land and homes in Exeter
What are the New Homes Quality Code and New Homes Ombudsman?
The New Homes Quality Code is a code of practice for developers registered with the New Homes Quality Board, covering how homes are marketed, reserved, sold and handed over, and after-sales care. Buyers of homes from registered developers can usually take unresolved complaints to the New Homes Ombudsman Service. The framework currently covers England, Scotland and Wales.
Do you pay my legal fees?
On option and promotion agreements, yes. We pay your reasonable legal fees, and the amount is agreed up front in the heads of terms before you instruct a solicitor, so there are no surprises later. On a direct purchase, each side normally pays its own legal costs, and we will explain the position before you commit.
What kinds of land do you look at?
Fields and paddocks next to towns and villages, large gardens and backland, infill plots, brownfield and former commercial sites, farmland, and buildings that could convert to homes. Sites need realistic access and planning prospects. If land is too small or too constrained for us, we will say so plainly rather than leave you waiting for an answer.
What is a new-build warranty?
It is an insurance-backed policy covering certain defects in a new home for a set period after completion. The builder is usually responsible for most defects early in the cover, and the warranty provider covers major structural problems later. Most mortgage lenders expect a recognised warranty, or a professional consultant's certificate, before they lend on a new home.
Is Exeter an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land in Exeter and elsewhere in Devon, including Barnstaple, Newton Abbot and Torquay. Where a site suits us we can buy it directly, or set up an option or promotion agreement. On promotion there is nothing to pay upfront.