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For landowners · Scottish Borders

Sell Brownfield Land in Hawick

Can I sell brownfield land for housing in Hawick?

If you own a redundant commercial site in Hawick, selling it for housing can turn an ongoing cost into a sale. Buyers will ask about past uses, contamination reports, asbestos in buildings and drainage. Land to Homes can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract, and builds clearance and remediation into a clear offer.

Grass field bordered by a hedgerow, with the backs of a housing estate along one sideHawick · TD9

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 Hawick

In Scottish Borders, Hawick lies about 13 miles south of Galashiels; its central postcode district is TD9. Nearby, we also cover Galashiels, Kelso and Peebles, all within 22 miles.

Around Hawick we look at land behind street frontages, redundant commercial buildings and brownfield land in and around Hawick. Planning in Hawick follows Scotland’s rules: National Planning Framework 4 sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.

Tell us where your land is around Hawick and we will explain the routes open to you.

Our approach in Hawick

Neighbouring uses considered

New homes next to workshops, busy roads or late-night venues need protection from noise and smells. In England and Wales, the agent of change principle can put the cost of mitigation on the new development.

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.

Rules that apply in Hawick

Planning obligations in Scotland are made under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and can cover affordable housing and infrastructure. Once registered against the title, they can bind future owners. Under NPF4, national and major developments must also leave biodiversity in a demonstrably better state. These costs shape what development land near Hawick is worth, which is why our free appraisal explains them before any offer or promotion terms are agreed.

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 Hawick
National planning policyNational Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan
Local planning documentLocal Development Plan (LDP)
In-principle consentPlanning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions
Developer contributionsSection 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments

Your questions answered for Hawick

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 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.

Do you buy land in Hawick?

Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Hawick and elsewhere in Scottish Borders, including Kelso, Galashiels and Peebles. 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 Scottish Borders

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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