Sell a Building for Conversion in Greenford
Selling a building for conversion in Greenford means selling an existing structure, such as an office, shop, pub, chapel, barn or light industrial unit, to a buyer who will turn it into homes. Its value depends on the planning route, how well the building converts, and costs such as fire safety, insulation, daylight and parking.
Greenford · UB6Free site appraisal
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- 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
Land and sites near Greenford
In Greater London, Greenford lies about 10 miles west of London; its central postcode district is UB6. Northolt is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 1 mile, followed by Southall and Wembley. Greenford is in the London region of England.
Typical sites we review near Greenford include land that already has planning permission, fields put forward or allocated in the local plan and former garage blocks and yards. Because Greenford is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you own land near Greenford, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
What you get in Greenford
Building regulations apply
Changing a building to homes brings in building regulations or, in Scotland, a building warrant, covering fire safety, sound insulation, energy efficiency and escape routes. These often drive conversion costs.
Class MA in England
In England, Class MA allows many buildings in commercial, business and service use to become homes through prior approval, covering matters such as transport, flooding, noise and natural light. Councils can remove it locally through Article 4 directions.
Light, depth and layout
Deep office floors and small windows can make poor homes. Habitable rooms need adequate natural light, so we test whether the building can provide good layouts before making an offer.
Heritage handled carefully
Listed buildings need listed building consent for most changes, and conservation areas add design controls. Historic chapels and barns can still convert well when their character is respected.
The English system, as it applies in Greenford
If your land near Greenford 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.
In England, Class MA allows many buildings in commercial, business and service use to convert to homes through prior approval, and Class Q covers some agricultural buildings. These rights are England-only, carry conditions and exclusions, and can be removed locally by Article 4 directions. New homes must meet national space standards, and pubs need full planning permission.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| 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 |
Sell a Building for Conversion in Greenford: questions
Do pubs need planning permission to convert to homes?
Yes, in most cases. In England, pubs no longer have permitted development rights to change to housing, so a full planning application is needed, and councils usually look for evidence that the pub is no longer viable. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland also normally require full planning permission.
Can I sell the space above my shop and keep trading below?
Often, yes. Upper floors above shops can be converted separately, subject to planning, a separate entrance and fire separation between the shop and the homes. A sale may involve splitting the title or granting a long lease of the upper parts. Your solicitor will advise on the right structure.
Can I convert an office to flats without planning permission?
In England, many office buildings can change to homes under Class MA permitted development, which needs prior approval from the council rather than full planning permission. Conditions and exclusions apply, including for listed buildings, some protected areas and places covered by an Article 4 direction. Elsewhere in the UK, a planning application is normally needed.
What is Class Q permitted development?
Class Q is an England-only right that can allow agricultural buildings to become homes through prior approval, subject to limits on numbers and floor space and exclusions for listed buildings and some protected areas. The building must be suitable for conversion rather than needing substantial rebuilding. Scotland has a separate, narrower right of its own.
Do you work with landowners in Greenford?
We do. We work with landowners in Greenford and elsewhere in Greater London, including Canning Town, Putney and Isleworth. Send us a postcode and we will start with a free, no-obligation appraisal of what the land could take.
Read more: Sell a Building for Conversion · Guide: Landowner joint ventures explained: sharing in the development