Sell an Infill Plot in Dorset
Owners of small gap sites in Dorset are often told the plot is too small to bother with. It may not be. One well-designed house on the right frontage can be a straightforward planning case. Land to Homes gives a free, no-obligation appraisal and, where the plot suits us, can buy it directly, subject to survey, title and contract.
DorsetFree 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 Dorset
Across Dorset, we cover Bournemouth and 3 other towns, among them Poole, Christchurch and Weymouth. Neighbouring areas we also cover include Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
Sites worth a conversation around Dorset: backland plots with a workable access, farmland next to the settlement boundary and fields put forward or allocated in the local plan. In England, where Dorset sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
Tell us where your land is around Dorset and we will explain the routes open to you.
Why work with Land to Homes in Dorset
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.
Neighbours' light and privacy
Window positions, outlook and daylight to neighbouring homes are tested in planning. We look at how a design could protect them, because this often decides whether infill is approved.
We can buy the plot
Where a plot suits us, we can buy it ourselves, with or without planning, with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract. Any offer is set out in writing.
Party walls and boundaries
Building on or near a shared boundary can trigger party wall procedures in England and Wales. Clear boundaries on the title plan help avoid disputes with neighbours later on.
Planning in Dorset: the English rules
Selling development land in Dorset usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
In England, the NPPF supports small sites and treats limited infilling in villages as an exception within the Green Belt. Smaller schemes can test the principle of housing through Permission in Principle before detailed design. Party wall procedures apply where work affects a shared wall or boundary, and buyers pay Stamp Duty Land Tax.
| 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 |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Sell an Infill Plot in Dorset
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 infill plots need biodiversity net gain?
In England, recent changes exempt many very small sites from biodiversity net gain, subject to conditions, and other exemptions may apply. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland take different approaches to biodiversity in planning. Check the current rules with your council or a planning consultant before you apply.
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.
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 Dorset?
We do. We work with landowners across Dorset, including Weymouth, Bournemouth and Poole. 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