Above: Pauline and Frank Mace built their 388m
2 Frame Technologies (www.frame technologies.
co.uk) home on a 1.5-acre site.
The couple bought two plots of land, one with existing planning consent, and the adjoining field, therefore ensuring no development could take place on the site and interrupt the beautiful views from their home When looking for a plot to self build, it can be challenging to identify what size home you can build on a site and therefore how big the plot should be. Location and context will determine what’s possible, adding to the variables at play. In some places, you may be able to build a larger house on a smaller plot, but in different locations you might need to leave more space around the house between neighbours or retain the context and density of development.
Think about how much space you need in your home and any other requirements for your plot, such as car parking and access, outbuildings etc. This will help you to identify the size of the plot you need. The desired scale and layout for your design will not work on every plot and, to be successful in planning, your development has to work with the particular site and its surroundings.
Working out your priorities will help in narrowing down your search for land, whether that’s its location or your property’s design or scale. For example, could you compromise with a smaller house and a larger garden in order to get a plot in your preferred location? Think about the long-term implications of these factors in terms of cost and maintenance, not just about what you can achieve planning permission for in the short term.
The challenge remains that every house will need to be designed to enhance the site it sits within and the surrounding context. This might mean rethinking your plans and having to compromise along the way. Nevertheless, it is still helpful to start with an idea or vision of what you ideally want or need in terms of size of home and the space around it.