Land for Sale in Nottinghamshire

# Land for Sale in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire presents a diverse range of land opportunities across its 836 square miles, from the historic city of Nottingham and its surrounding urban fringe to the agricultural heartlands of the Trent Valley and the former coalfield areas of north Nottinghamshire. The county's strategic position in the East Midlands, with excellent transport connections including the M1 motorway, East Coast Main Line, and East Midlands Airport nearby, makes it an attractive proposition for both agricultural investors and those seeking development or diversification opportunities.

The land market in Nottinghamshire reflects its varied landscape and economy. Southern and central areas around the Trent Valley feature high-quality arable land, whilst the north of the county encompasses former mining communities now experiencing regeneration, woodland, and the edges of Sherwood Forest. This geographical diversity creates opportunities across multiple price points, from prime agricultural land fetching £10,000-£12,000 per acre to marginal woodland or amenity land available at significantly lower values.

For prospective land buyers, Nottinghamshire offers relatively accessible pricing compared to counties further south, combined with strong infrastructure and proximity to major population centres. The county's ongoing economic transformation, particularly in logistics, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors, continues to influence land values and development potential across the region.

Types of Land Available in Nottinghamshire

Agricultural Land: The Trent Valley running through the county contains some of the finest arable land in the East Midlands, with Grade 2 and 3 agricultural land suitable for cereals, oilseed rape, and root crops. Farms in areas around Newark-on-Trent, Bingham, and the Vale of Belvoir typically command premium prices. Smaller agricultural parcels and grazing land are commonly available throughout the county, particularly in the north and west.

Woodland and Forestry: Nottinghamshire has significant woodland coverage, with Sherwood Forest being the most famous example. Mature and semi-mature woodland plots regularly come to market, appealing to conservation buyers, shooting syndicates, and those seeking recreational land. The former Dukeries estates in north Nottinghamshire contain established woodland that occasionally becomes available in parcels ranging from five to fifty acres.

Equestrian and Smallholdings: The county has a strong equestrian community, particularly around villages within commuting distance of Nottingham such as Radcliffe-on-Trent, Burton Joyce, and Southwell. Paddocks and small grazing parcels with or without stabling facilities are consistently in demand. Smallholdings of 5-20 acres suitable for lifestyle buyers appear regularly on the market.

Development and Regeneration Land: Former industrial sites, particularly in the ex-coalfield areas of Ashfield and Bassetlaw districts, present opportunities for residential or commercial redevelopment. Urban fringe land around the expanding towns of Mansfield, Worksop, and Newark attracts speculative interest, though planning success rates vary considerably depending on local development plan allocations.

Amenity and Conservation Land: River frontage along the Trent, former sand and gravel extraction sites now used for fishing or recreation, and marginal land suitable for environmental schemes or natural capital projects all feature in the Nottinghamshire land market. Biodiversity net gain requirements are increasing demand for such land.

Notable Features and Location Advantages

Sherwood Forest and Natural Assets: Whilst the ancient royal hunting forest has diminished from its medieval extent, Sherwood Forest still covers approximately 450 acres as a National Nature Reserve, with the wider Sherwood Forest regional park encompassing much more. This heritage creates both planning constraints and opportunities for woodland management and eco-tourism ventures. The county also contains several Local Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest that influence land use and values.

Transport Infrastructure: Nottinghamshire benefits from exceptional connectivity. The M1 motorway runs through the western side of the county, with junctions providing access to major towns. The A1 forms the eastern boundary, serving Newark and Retford. The East Coast Main Line and Midland Main Line both pass through, with direct services to London in under two hours from Newark and Nottingham. This accessibility has driven significant logistics and distribution sector growth, particularly around junction 28 of the M1 and the A453 corridor towards East Midlands Airport.

Economic Development Zones: The county hosts several enterprise zones and major employment sites that influence land values. The Infinity Park Derby Enterprise Zone extends into Nottinghamshire, while the former Rolls-Royce site at Hucknall and developments around Nottingham city all create ripple effects on surrounding land markets. Major employers include Boots in Beeston, Amazon and Sports Direct distribution centres, and advanced manufacturing facilities.

The Trent Valley: The River Trent is both an asset and consideration for land buyers. Riverside locations offer amenity value and recreational potential, but large areas of the floodplain are designated as Flood Zone 2 or 3, significantly affecting development prospects and requiring appropriate flood risk assessments for any planning applications.

Planning and Development Considerations

Nottinghamshire operates under a two-tier local government system, with the county council providing strategic planning guidance whilst seven district and borough councils determine most planning applications. Nottingham City operates as a separate unitary authority. This structure means planning policies can vary significantly across the county, and prospective buyers should research the specific Local Plan for their area of interest.

The Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Local Plan and Minerals Local Plan provide additional policy frameworks affecting land use, particularly for extraction sites and waste management facilities. Several areas around Newark and in the north of the county have active or dormant mineral rights that should be investigated during due diligence.

Greenbelt designation affects substantial areas around Nottingham city, creating significant barriers to development in otherwise accessible locations. Approximately 65,000 acres of Green Belt surround the city, with strict policies against inappropriate development. However, some Green Belt land has been reviewed in recent Local Plan updates, and areas previously designated for protection have been released for strategic housing sites.

For agricultural land seeking diversification, planning permission for barns, renewable energy installations, or change of use can be complex. The county council has specific guidance on agricultural development, with permitted development rights offering some flexibility for agricultural buildings under 465 square metres, though restrictions apply in proximity to roads and in protected areas.

Conservation areas exist in historic market towns like Newark, Southwell (home to the famous Minster), and numerous villages, where additional planning constraints apply to both buildings and land. The county contains over 4,000 listed buildings and scheduled monuments, including the remains of Newstead Abbey, requiring sensitive approaches to any nearby development.

Investment Potential and Market Trends

Nottinghamshire's land market has demonstrated resilience, with agricultural land values appreciating steadily over the past decade, though at a more modest rate than southern counties. The county offers value compared to neighbouring Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, with prime arable land typically £1,000-£2,000 per acre less expensive than equivalent grades further south.

Rollover relief and Agricultural Property Relief considerations make Nottinghamshire attractive to investors seeking estate planning benefits, particularly for woodland and agricultural holdings that qualify for Business Property Relief. The county's mixed farming economy—combining arable, dairy, and livestock operations—provides flexibility for agricultural investors.

The former coalfield regeneration areas present higher-risk, higher-potential opportunities. While some brownfield sites carry contamination legacies requiring remediation, government and European funding has supported numerous reclamation projects. Areas around Mansfield and Ashfield are seeing renewed interest as housing demand expands beyond Nottingham's immediate commuter belt, though buyers should conduct thorough contaminated land assessments and mine entry surveys.

Renewable energy opportunities have gained traction, with several solar farms established on lower-grade agricultural land. Wind energy development faces more planning resistance, though appropriate sites occasionally receive consent. Environmental land management schemes replacing EU subsidies are reshaping agricultural land use, with opportunities for carbon sequestration, natural capital projects, and biodiversity enhancement potentially affecting long-term land values.

For those considering buying land in Nottinghamshire, key due diligence should include flood risk assessment (particularly near the Trent and its tributaries), mining search reports in northern districts, access rights verification given the county's extensive bridleway and footpath network, and understanding local development plan allocations. Water supply can be challenging for remote rural plots, with mains connections potentially costly.

The outlook for Nottinghamshire land remains positive, supported by ongoing population growth around Nottingham, continued logistics sector expansion, and the county's affordability relative to southern alternatives. Whether seeking agricultural investment, woodland amenity, or strategic land holdings, Nottinghamshire's diverse offering warrants consideration from knowledgeable land buyers.

To understand the current market value of land you're considering in Nottinghamshire, obtaining a professional property valuation can provide essential insight before making your purchase decision.