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Description

A rare, chain-free freehold development site for sale in Rossendale — 0.80 acres of brownfield land with outstanding connectivity, auctioned at Claridge’s, Mayfair, on 23rd September 2026. Ideal for developers, investors, and architects seeking a former pumping station with development potential in the heart of Lancashire.

DEVELOPMENT SITE FOR SALE ROSENDALE | FORMER PUMPING STATION | 0.80 ACRES | FREEHOLD | GUIDE PRICE £15,000 | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AUCTION LANCASHIRE 2026

🏗️ Property Overview

Presenting an exceptional development opportunity in Rossendale Valley: Baron Pumping Station, a freehold commercial land for sale in Lancashire, is now available via public auction. This former pumping station with development potential occupies a level, brownfield site of approximately 0.80 acres (0.32 hectares), discreetly positioned within the Baron Fold enclave of Waterfoot, BB4 7HA. The property is currently vacant, chain-free, and offers a rare chance to acquire a substantial site at an accessible guide price.   The site features a single-storey, brick-built structure set at around 199 metres (646 feet) above sea level, providing a unique vantage point over the valley. The immediate surroundings blend traditional stone-built terraces, former industrial buildings, and newer residential developments, reflecting both the area’s rich industrial heritage and ongoing regeneration.

📍 Location & Connectivity

Baron Pumping Station is strategically located in the heart of the Rossendale Valley, within a small, secluded enclave off Duke Street, yet close to Waterfoot’s centre. The site benefits from:
  • Proximity to Rawtenstall (2.5 miles west) and Bacup (2 miles east)
  • Easy access to the A681 arterial route — the main road through the valley
  • M66 motorway (5 miles via A56 Edenfield bypass), connecting to Manchester (18 miles, 35–40 minutes by car) and the North West motorway network
  • Burnley accessible via B6238
 

 Public transport is robust:

  • Frequent bus services (routes 7 and 464, operated by Rosso and The Burnley Bus Company) link Waterfoot to Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden, Burnley, Accrington, Rochdale, and Bury
  • Rawtenstall Bus Station, a major interchange, is less than 3 miles away.
  This brownfield land for sale in Waterfoot is ideally placed for both local amenities and regional connectivity, making it highly attractive for a range of commercial or mixed-use schemes (subject to planning). 📝 Planning, Zoning & Tenure
  • Urban use designation under the Rossendale Borough Council Local Development Plan
  • Potential for alternative uses (subject to obtaining necessary consents)
  • Freehold, chain-free, vacant possession upon completion
  • Buyers are advised to make their own planning enquiries with Rossendale Borough Council (Tel: 01706 217777).
 

🏦 Auction Details

  • Auctioneer: Palace Auctions (London) Ltd
  • Date & Venue: 23rd September 2026, 12:00pm, St James Room at Claridge’s, Mayfair, London
  • Guide Price: £15,000
  • Deposit: 10% (minimum £5,000) payable on the fall of the hammer
  • Buyer’s Premium: 2% + VAT (minimum £2,000 + VAT)
  • Administration Fee: £1,000 + VAT
  • Completion: 28 days from auction date
  • Bidding: Hybrid in-room and secure online bidding available (register at palaceauctions.com; AML checks required 48 hours prior)
  • Legal Pack: Downloadable from palaceauctions.com — buyers should instruct a solicitor to review all documents before bidding

📋 Summary Table

Feature Details
Site Area 0.80 acres (0.32 hectares)
Tenure Freehold, chain-free, vacant possession
Location Baron Fold, Waterfoot, Rossendale, BB4 7HA
Auction Date 23rd September 2026, Claridge’s, Mayfair, London
Guide Price £15,000
Planning Urban use, development potential (subject to consent)
Transport A681, M66, bus routes 7 & 464, strong regional connectivity
  Don’t miss this rare chance to acquire a prime, chain-free freehold site in the Rossendale Valley — register now for the Palace Auctions London event at September 2026.  

Get in touch

Edward Swindells Auctioneer Consultant Auctioneer & Valuer

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Important notices

Pre-registration approval to bid, guide prices, reserves, additional charges and other matters.

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Guide Prices

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Where a range is given, the Reserve will sit within that range and will not exceed the top end of the range. Where a single figure Guide Price is given, the Reserve will be within 10%, upwards or downwards, of that figure.

The guide price may be subject to change up to and including the day of the auction. The latest published guide price (or range of prices) is displayed on our website, and you should check the website regularly for updates and on the day of the auction.

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Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the advertised guide prices are up to date. it is possible that the reserve price set for any Lot may exceed the previously quoted guide price. This is because the seller may fix the final reserve price just before the Lot is offered for sale and you should check the website regularly for updates and on the day of the auction.

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For each Lot, a documentation charge / Fee is payable on the fall of the hammer to Palace Auctions as follows:

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Additional charges and fees might be charged by the seller and/or other third parties. You are strongly advised to read the Special Conditions of Sale for the Lot prior to bidding to check for any additional charges and fees and to check the addendum which might also (but does not always) contain details of such amounts.

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Other Matters

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Please refer to the addendum, the Particulars and/or the conditions of sale.

Mapping data licensed from Ordnance Survey with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100022432. Location plans are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright and Database Rights 2018 OS 100060020

The plans and photographs shown in the catalogue are included in order to assist you in locating the Lot in question. They are not to be taken as drawn to scale and any arrows on plans or photographs are merely to assist you in finding the Lot, not for the purpose of indicating legal boundaries or which direction the lot is facing.

The Auctioneers do not warrant or represent that any plans or photographs show the up-to-date position with regard to occupiers either for the Lot or for any other properties shown in such plans or photographs.

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