Sell an Infill Plot in Surrey
Owners of small gap sites in Surrey 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.
SurreyFree 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
Our coverage in Surrey
Our Surrey coverage takes in 19 towns and cities, centred on Guildford and including Camberley, Staines and Walton-on-Thames. Next door, we also cover Greater London, Berkshire and West Sussex.
In and around Surrey, the land we appraise ranges from redundant agricultural buildings to former garage blocks and yards, including corner plots and side gardens. Planning in Surrey follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.
Send us a postcode in or near GU1 and we will start with a free desktop appraisal.
What you get in Surrey
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.
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.
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.
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.
The English system, as it applies in Surrey
Land with no planning permission can still be sold. Around Surrey, 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 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 |
Common questions in Surrey
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.
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.
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.
Can I sell the side garden of my end-of-terrace house?
Often, yes, where the side garden is wide enough for a new home that continues the terrace or stands as a separate detached house. Consider the impact on your own home, parking and garden, and whether your mortgage lender will agree to release the land.
Is Surrey an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land across Surrey, including Godalming, Ewell and Egham. Where a site suits us we can buy it directly, or set up an option or promotion agreement. On promotion there is nothing to pay upfront.
Read more: Sell an Infill Plot · Guide: Selling part of your garden: what you need to know