Sell an Infill Plot in Derry/Londonderry
Selling infill land in Derry/Londonderry turns on three questions: does the gap fit the pattern of the street, are services and access available, and would a new home affect neighbours' light or privacy? Land to Homes checks each one, explains the likely scale of scheme, and puts any offer or terms in writing before you commit.
Derry/Londonderry · BT48Free 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 Derry/Londonderry
Derry/Londonderry (BT48) anchors our coverage of County Londonderry, which takes in 3 other places. The nearest other places we cover are Strabane (13 miles), Limavady (15 miles) and Coleraine (27 miles).
Around Derry/Londonderry we look at infill gaps along existing streets, brownfield land in and around Derry/Londonderry and corner plots and side gardens. Because Derry/Londonderry is in Northern Ireland, land titles are registered with Land & Property Services (Land Registry and Registry of Deeds) and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you own land near Derry/Londonderry, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Why work with Land to Homes in Derry/Londonderry
Self-builder or developer
Some infill plots suit individual self-builders, while others suit a developer building several homes. We explain who is likely to want your plot and what that means for the deal.
Village infill policies
Some rural policies allow limited infilling within villages even where wider development is restricted. We check whether your plot falls within the exact wording of those rules.
Small plots still count
Many single-plot sites are viable. We look at what could fit, from one detached house to a short terrace, rather than dismissing a site because of its size.
Street scene first
Councils look at the building line, roof heights, plot widths and materials along the street. A new home that follows that pattern has a much better chance of approval than one that ignores it.
Planning in Derry/Londonderry: the Northern Irish rules
Land to Homes works with landowners across Northern Ireland, including in and around Derry/Londonderry. We start with a free appraisal of planning policy, access and constraints, then set out a direct offer or option or promotion terms in writing. Each council's Local Development Plan is prepared in two stages, a Plan Strategy and a Local Policies Plan, so the stage your council has reached affects how a site is assessed. Planning permission is never guaranteed.
In Northern Ireland, rural infill is tightly controlled: PPS 21 allows a small gap site within an otherwise substantial and continuously built-up frontage, and councils with adopted plan strategies apply their own versions. Within settlements, PPS 7 and the Creating Places guide shape design. Stamp Duty Land Tax applies on the sale.
| National planning policy | Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS, Edition 2), applied with retained Planning Policy Statements until each council adopts its Plan Strategy |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP), made up of a Plan Strategy and a Local Policies Plan |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
Your questions answered for Derry/Londonderry
Is it easier to get planning permission for infill?
Often, because infill makes use of land within a settlement. But councils still refuse infill that harms the character of the street, neighbours' amenity or highway safety. In some rural areas, infill policies are tightly defined, so it pays to check the exact policy wording for your area.
How small can a plot be for a new house?
There is no single minimum. It depends on the width of the frontage, the size of neighbouring plots, space standards for the new home, garden and parking requirements, and how the design fits the street. A narrow plot may still work for a terraced design that continues an existing row.
Should I sell an infill plot with or without planning?
Selling with permission usually achieves a higher price, but means paying for drawings, surveys and fees yourself and accepting the risk of refusal. Selling without planning is simpler and passes that risk to the buyer. A contract conditional on planning sits between the two and suits many small plots.
Do my neighbours have a say if I sell an infill plot?
You do not need their permission to sell, but they will be notified when a planning application is made and can comment on it. Early, courteous contact often helps, especially if party walls, shared drives or boundary features such as hedges and fences are involved.
Do you work with landowners in Derry/Londonderry?
We do. We work with landowners in Derry/Londonderry and elsewhere in County Londonderry, including Limavady, Magherafelt and Coleraine. Send us a postcode and we will start with a free, no-obligation appraisal of what the land could take.
Read more: Sell an Infill Plot · Guide: Selling part of your garden: what you need to know