Sell Brownfield Land in Torquay

Land and sites near Torquay

We cover Torquay as part of Devon. It is about 28 miles east of Plymouth, around postcode district TQ2. The nearest other places we cover are Paignton (3 miles), Newton Abbot (6 miles) and Exmouth (12 miles). Torquay is part of England’s South West region.

In and around Torquay, the land we appraise ranges from land that already has planning permission to infill gaps along existing streets, including farmland next to the settlement boundary. Planning in Torquay follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.

If you own land near Torquay, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.

How we work in Torquay

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.

Flood risk and drainage

Some brownfield sites sit in flood zones or rely on old drainage. Flood policy may require a sequential test, showing that no suitable sites at lower risk are reasonably available.

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.

Rules that apply in Torquay

Whether a field or large garden could take homes depends mostly on the council's Local Plan and national policy. Under the National Planning Policy Framework, plans define settlement boundaries, and land just outside Torquay may still come forward if it is allocated, previously developed or meets evidenced unmet housing need. Smaller housing schemes can also use Permission in Principle, an England-only route that settles location, use and amount first. Our free appraisal explains which route suits your land.

In England, councils keep brownfield land registers, and sites on Part 2 of a register can be granted Permission in Principle. The NPPF gives substantial weight to using suitable brownfield land for homes. Contamination is normally handled through planning conditions, following the Environment Agency's land contamination risk management guidance, with Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as a backstop.

Key rules in Torquay
Local planning document	Local Plan
In-principle consent	Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land registration	HM Land Registry
Developer contributions	Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Questions about Sell Brownfield Land in Torquay

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.

Do I need a contamination report before selling?

Not necessarily, but it helps. A desk study of past uses is relatively inexpensive and gives buyers confidence. If you hold older reports, share them. Buyers will usually carry out their own investigations anyway, both as part of their due diligence and because planning conditions often require them.

What is a sequential test for flood risk?

It is a planning test that steers new development to areas at the lowest risk of flooding. If a site is in a higher-risk area, the applicant may need to show there are no reasonably available sites at lower risk. England applies it through the NPPF; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own flood policies.

Is it easier to get planning permission on brownfield land?

Usually it has stronger policy support than greenfield land, because national policy in each UK nation encourages the reuse of previously developed land. Permission is still not automatic: loss of employment land, heritage, flood risk, neighbours and design all matter, and a site in an area protected for business use may still struggle.

Is Torquay an area you cover for land?

Yes, we cover land in Torquay and elsewhere in Devon, including Bideford, Barnstaple and Plymstock. 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.