Land and new homes in Dumfries
In Dumfries, Land to Homes works with landowners who want to sell, option or promote land for housing, and with councils and housing associations on affordable homes. We manage planning and building on the sites we take forward, and people looking for a home can register their interest.
Dumfries · DG1Free 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
Where Dumfries fits
Dumfries (DG1) is the hub of our Dumfries & Galloway coverage, with 2 further towns covered. Annan is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 15 miles, followed by Hawick and Peebles.
In and around Dumfries, the land we appraise ranges from redundant agricultural buildings to land that already has planning permission, including small holdings and pony paddocks. Planning in Dumfries follows Scotland’s rules: National Planning Framework 4 sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.
A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Dumfries.
Services in Dumfries
For landowners
- Sell Land for Development in Dumfries
- Sell Land with Planning Permission in Dumfries
- Sell Land Without Planning in Dumfries
- Land Option Agreements in Dumfries
- Land Promotion Agreements in Dumfries
- Landowner Joint Ventures in Dumfries
- Sell Garden Land and Backland in Dumfries
- Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Dumfries
- Sell Brownfield Land in Dumfries
- Sell an Infill Plot in Dumfries
- Land Assembly and Access in Dumfries
- Free Site Appraisal in Dumfries
- Sell a Building for Conversion in Dumfries
Planning, design and build
- Planning Permission and Strategy in Dumfries
- Architecture and Masterplanning in Dumfries
- New Home Construction in Dumfries
- Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Dumfries
New homes and housing
- New-Build Homes for Sale in Dumfries
- New Homes to Rent in Dumfries
- Affordable Housing in Dumfries
- Social Housing in Dumfries
- Council and Housing Partnerships in Dumfries
Funders and partners
Planning in Dumfries: the Scottish rules
Scottish land deals differ from the rest of the UK in a few ways: contracts are concluded by missives, consent in principle is called planning permission in principle, and developer contributions use Section 75 agreements. Land to Homes works within those rules around Dumfries, whether buying a suitable site directly with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract, or promoting it through planning with nothing to pay upfront. Planning permission is never guaranteed, so we explain the risks plainly.
Buying a home in Dumfries works differently in Scotland. Offers are made through a solicitor, and the purchase becomes binding when missives are concluded. Most resale homes come with a Home Report, but a brand-new home sold to its first occupier is exempt, although the seller must still provide an Energy Performance Certificate. Buyers pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax. Land to Homes has no homes for sale yet; register interest to hear about future plans.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Common questions in Dumfries
What is planning permission?
Planning permission is consent from the planning authority to carry out development, such as building new homes or changing the use of land. Applications are judged against the local development plan and national policy, which differ in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Permission can be full, or outline, which is called planning permission in principle in Scotland.
What is a land promotion agreement?
Under a promotion agreement, a promoter funds and manages the planning process, then markets the land for sale with the landowner once permission is granted. The proceeds are shared under an agreed formula after the promoter's costs. With Land to Homes there is nothing to pay upfront: planning costs are only recovered from the sale proceeds if the land sells with planning.
What should I check before reserving any new-build home?
Check the specification, the tenure and any lease terms, estate or service charges for unadopted roads and open space, the warranty provider, the reservation terms and whether the developer is registered with the New Homes Quality Board. Instruct your own solicitor early, visit the site if you can and ask for everything important in writing.
What is an option agreement?
An option agreement gives a developer the right, but not the obligation, to buy land within an agreed period, usually once planning permission is granted. The landowner normally receives an option fee, and the purchase price is worked out under an agreed formula. On option agreements with Land to Homes, we pay your reasonable legal fees, agreed up front in the heads of terms.
Do you buy land in Dumfries?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Dumfries and elsewhere in Dumfries & Galloway, including Annan and Stranraer. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.