Sell Land for Development in Dumfries & Galloway
Selling land for development in Dumfries & Galloway means agreeing a deal with a developer who can see new homes on your site, whether that is a field, a paddock, a large garden or a former commercial yard. Land to Homes can buy suitable land outright, or partner with you through an option or promotion agreement so the land sells once planning permission is in place.
Dumfries & GallowayFree 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 Dumfries & Galloway
Our Dumfries & Galloway coverage takes in 3 towns and cities, centred on Dumfries and including Stranraer and Annan. Next door, we also cover Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Scottish Borders.
Typical sites we review near Dumfries & Galloway include farmland next to the settlement boundary, land that already has planning permission and small holdings and pony paddocks. In Scotland, where Dumfries & Galloway sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).
If you own land near Dumfries & Galloway, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Our approach in Dumfries & Galloway
Free site appraisal
A no-obligation desktop appraisal covering access, planning policy, likely constraints and an indicative number of homes, before you spend a penny on advice.
Direct purchase on suitable sites
Where a site suits us, we can buy it ourselves with or without planning, with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract.
Every nation covered
We work across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and tailor each deal to the planning and conveyancing rules that apply where your land sits.
Three ways to sell
A direct purchase, an option agreement or a promotion agreement. We explain the trade-off between certainty now and value later, in writing, so you can compare like with like.
Planning in Dumfries & Galloway: the Scottish rules
In Scotland, planning applications for land around Dumfries & Galloway 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, land sales are concluded through missives rather than exchange of contracts, and planning follows National Planning Framework 4 and the Local Development Plan. Where permission is needed, a deal can be made conditional on planning permission in principle.
| National planning policy | National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Questions about Sell Land for Development in Dumfries & Galloway
What makes land suitable for new homes?
Good road access, a position next to or within an existing settlement, no overriding constraints such as high flood risk, and local planning policy that supports new housing. Sites that miss one of these can still work, but the route and timescale change.
Can I sell land for development without planning permission?
Yes. Many sites change hands without planning. A buyer will either pay a price that reflects the planning risk, or agree a deal where the final price is set once permission is granted. We can do either, and we will explain which gives you the better outcome for your land.
Who pays the legal fees when I sell land?
On a straightforward sale each side normally pays its own. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes we pay your reasonable legal fees, and the amount is agreed in the heads of terms before you instruct a solicitor.
Do I need an agent to sell development land?
You do not have to use one, but independent advice is sensible on any land deal. Many landowners use a land agent or chartered surveyor, and you will need your own solicitor. Where we agree to cover your reasonable legal fees, the cap is set out in writing.
Is Dumfries & Galloway an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land across Dumfries & Galloway, including Dumfries, Annan and Stranraer. 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 Land for Development · Guide: Tax when selling land for development