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For landowners · Ayrshire

Sell Brownfield Land in Irvine

Can I sell brownfield land for housing in Irvine?

What a brownfield site in Irvine is worth for homes depends less on its size than on what lies underneath and next door. Our free, no-obligation appraisal looks at former uses, likely ground conditions, flood risk, access and any business tenants, then explains whether a direct sale, conditional contract or promotion suits the site.

Grass field bordered by a hedgerow, with the backs of a housing estate along one sideIrvine · KA12

Free 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

Our coverage in Irvine

Irvine sits about 6 miles west of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, in the KA12 postcode district. Kilmarnock is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 6 miles, followed by Ayr and Newton Mearns.

Sites worth a conversation around Irvine: former garage blocks and yards, land that already has planning permission and redundant commercial buildings. In Scotland, where Irvine sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).

A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Irvine.

What we offer in Irvine

Direct purchase of brownfield sites

Where a brownfield site suits us, we can buy it ourselves, with or without planning and with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract.

Demolition and asbestos

Older buildings often contain asbestos, which must be surveyed and removed by licensed specialists where required before demolition. These costs feed into the price, so an early survey supports a firmer offer.

Contamination assessed in stages

Ground investigation is usually staged: a desk study of past uses, intrusive sampling if needed, then a remediation strategy and verification. Existing reports save time and cost, so share any you hold.

Loss of employment land

Councils may resist losing business land to housing. Policies vary, so we check whether marketing evidence or a viability case is likely to be needed before any application is made.

Rules that apply in Irvine

In Scotland, planning applications for land around Irvine are decided by the council as planning authority, using National Planning Framework 4 and the Local Development Plan, which together form the statutory development plan. Instead of outline permission, Scotland uses planning permission in principle, followed by approval of matters specified in conditions. Land to Homes can buy suitable sites directly or promote land through planning, and every conversation starts with a free site appraisal.

In Scotland, NPF4 supports the reuse of vacant and derelict land, and councils record such land in the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey. Flood risk is assessed against NPF4 and SEPA's flood maps. Former mining areas may need a Coal Authority report, and ground conditions affect the building warrant as well as planning.

Key rules in Irvine
National planning policyNational Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT)
Land registrationRegisters of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland)
Developer contributionsSection 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments

Common questions in Irvine

Who pays for contamination clean-up when I sell?

It is negotiated. Usually the buyer allows for remediation in the price it offers, so the cost is reflected in the land value. Contract terms can also deal with environmental liabilities after the sale. Where contamination is serious, environmental law can in some cases leave liability with whoever caused it, so take legal advice.

Can I sell a commercial site that still has tenants?

Yes. Many sites sell with tenants in place, and the buyer manages the leases coming to an end. Business tenants can have statutory rights to stay in some cases, so the lease terms and any notices matter. We review the leases and agree timing that works for you and, where possible, for the tenants.

What is a garage block worth for development?

It depends on how many homes the plot could take once the garages are cleared, how the garages are currently used, the width of the access and whether any are let. Some garage sites suit a small group of homes or bungalows. We cannot give a value without seeing the site, but our appraisal explains the factors.

Will VAT apply when I sell my brownfield site?

It may. If you have opted to tax the land or buildings, VAT can apply to the sale price. Whether the option can be disapplied depends on what the buyer intends to do with the property, and the rules are technical. Ask your accountant before agreeing a price, because it affects what the buyer pays.

Do you buy land in Irvine?

Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Irvine and elsewhere in Ayrshire, including Ayr and Kilmarnock. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.

Read more: Sell Brownfield Land · Guide: Green Belt and grey belt land explained

Sell Brownfield Land elsewhere in Ayrshire

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

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