Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Exmouth
Selling farmland or paddocks in Exmouth for development usually means land on the edge of a town or village that could take new homes once planning policy allows. Value depends heavily on planning prospects, so many deals are options or promotion agreements that let you keep farming until permission is granted and the land is sold.
Exmouth · EX8Free 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
Land and sites near Exmouth
Exmouth (EX8) is one of the Devon towns we cover, about 37 miles north-east of Plymouth. The nearest other places we cover are Exeter (9 miles), Newton Abbot (11 miles) and Torquay (12 miles). Within England, Exmouth falls in the South West region.
Sites worth a conversation around Exmouth: infill gaps along existing streets, redundant commercial buildings and land behind street frontages. Because Exmouth is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Exmouth.
Our approach in Exmouth
Fees covered on options
On option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees, with the amount agreed up front in the heads of terms, so specialist rural legal advice is within reach.
Overage on paddock sales
If you sell a paddock at its current value, an overage clause can secure a further payment if planning is later granted. We explain triggers, duration and how the obligation is secured.
Land quality and flood risk
Planning policy tends to protect higher-grade farmland, and flood zones can rule land out entirely. We check agricultural land quality mapping and flood maps early, before any detailed discussion of terms.
Farm schemes considered
If the land is in an agri-environment or farm support agreement, taking it out may have consequences, including possible repayments. Check the scheme rules before you sign anything with anyone.
Rules that apply in Exmouth
Land with no planning permission can still be sold. Around Exmouth, the usual routes in England are a direct sale, an option agreement or a promotion agreement, where the planning work is funded for you and the land is sold once consent is granted. Outline planning permission settles the principle, with reserved matters approved later. Section 106 obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy where charged and biodiversity net gain all affect what a site is worth, so independent advice matters.
In England, the NPPF asks councils to take account of the value of higher-quality farmland, and Local Plans set settlement boundaries. Agricultural tenancies may fall under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 or be farm business tenancies, each with its own rules. Land in Environmental Land Management or Countryside Stewardship agreements needs checking before it is taken out.
| 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 |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Exmouth: questions
Can I keep farming while the land goes through planning?
Yes, in most option and promotion agreements. You stay in possession until the sale, and the agreement sets notice periods before the land is needed. It may restrict new long-term tenancies or works that could affect planning, such as removing hedgerows or trees without agreement.
How do I keep access to the rest of my farm?
Through rights reserved in the agreement and the eventual transfer. These can include a right of way through the new estate road, service connections and drainage routes for retained land. Plan them early, because once a layout is approved it is much harder to add access later.
What is an overage clause on farmland?
Overage is a promise by the buyer to make a further payment if a defined event happens after the sale, typically planning permission for a more valuable use. It is common when farmland sells at agricultural value. The key terms are the trigger, the share payable, the duration and how the promise is secured.
What happens to my tenant farmer if I sell for development?
It depends on the tenancy. Some older agricultural tenancies give tenants strong security, while newer tenancies and grazing licences are usually more flexible. Planning permission for a non-agricultural use can sometimes support ending a tenancy, but the rules are technical and specialist advice is essential. We factor the tenancy into any deal.
Do you work with landowners in Exmouth?
We do. We work with landowners in Exmouth and elsewhere in Devon, including Paignton, Plymstock and Bideford. Send us a postcode and we will start with a free, no-obligation appraisal of what the land could take.
Read more: Sell Farmland and Paddocks · Guide: Biodiversity net gain for landowners: what it means for your land