Part of the S&K Group · Land, planning and new homesEngland · Wales · Scotland · Northern Ireland0800 088 6248
Land to Homes emblem: two house roofs over green fieldsLANDTOHOMES
For landowners · Glasgow & the Clyde

Sell Garden Land and Backland in Glasgow

Can I sell part of my garden for development in Glasgow?

Backland sites in Glasgow often stretch across several gardens, so the strongest schemes involve neighbours working together. Land to Homes can buy a single plot directly, subject to survey, title and contract, or bring adjoining owners into one deal with a fair way of sharing proceeds, so a single shared access serves everyone.

Misty paddock at sunrise on the edge of a market town with a church spireGlasgow · G1

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

Land we look at around Glasgow

Glasgow (G1) anchors our coverage of Glasgow & the Clyde, which takes in 7 other places. Nearby, we also cover Rutherglen, Bishopbriggs and Bearsden, all within 5 miles.

Around Glasgow we look at backland plots with a workable access, small holdings and pony paddocks and redundant commercial buildings. As Glasgow is in Scotland, applications are judged against National Planning Framework 4, and the buyer of land pays Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).

Send us a postcode in or near G1 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.

How we work in Glasgow

Access comes first

Most garden schemes stand or fall on access. The drive must be wide enough for cars, refuse collection and emergency vehicles, with safe visibility at the road, under the highway authority's design guidance.

Option and promotion routes

If the plot needs planning first, an option or promotion agreement lets us fund the application. On both, we pay your reasonable legal fees, with the amount agreed up front in the heads of terms.

Covenants and title

Older titles often include restrictive covenants limiting building. Depending on the nation and the facts, a release, indemnity insurance or an application to modify the covenant may be possible.

Neighbour impact assessed

Councils look at overlooking, loss of light, noise from a new drive and whether the plot is in keeping with the area. We assess these early, because they are common reasons for refusal.

Rules that apply in Glasgow

In Scotland, planning applications for land around Glasgow 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, restrictions on building are usually real burdens, also called title conditions, rather than covenants, and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland can discharge or vary them. Garden plots are often consented through planning permission in principle first. A building warrant is needed before work starts, and the buyer pays Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.

Key rules in Glasgow
National planning policyNational Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan
Local planning documentLocal Development Plan (LDP)
Land registrationRegisters of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland)
Developer contributionsSection 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments

Questions about Sell Garden Land and Backland in Glasgow

Should I team up with my neighbours to sell garden land?

Often it helps. Several gardens together can support a better-planned scheme with one shared access, which councils tend to prefer to separate plots. A collaboration agreement sets out how proceeds are shared, usually by area, so no one loses out because of where the access road happens to go.

What is backland development?

Backland development means building homes on land behind an existing row of houses, usually reached by a new access running between them. Many councils have specific policy on it, focused on access, privacy, the character of the area and avoiding piecemeal schemes that would block a better-planned layout later.

Do I pay Capital Gains Tax when I sell garden land?

Possibly. Private Residence Relief can cover part of a garden in some circumstances, but the size of the garden and the order and timing of sales can affect it. Selling the garden after you have sold the house, for example, may change the position. Speak to an accountant before agreeing terms.

Can I sell part of my garden to a developer?

Yes, if the land can support a new home with safe access and acceptable impact on neighbours. The land is split from your title and sold with rights of way and services set out in the transfer. If your house is mortgaged, your lender will need to consent and release the part being sold.

Do you buy land in Glasgow?

Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Glasgow and elsewhere in Glasgow & the Clyde, including Greenock, Bishopbriggs and Clydebank. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.

Read more: Sell Garden Land and Backland · Guide: Selling part of your garden: what you need to know

Sell Garden Land and Backland elsewhere in Glasgow & the Clyde

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.

CallFree appraisal