FIND YOUR DREAM BUILDING PLOT
PlotBrowser.comis a 100% free-to-use plot and property finder, packed with 1,000s of home building opportunities. Here’s a taster of the fantastic self build plots, renovation properties and conversions currently for sale near you
plotbrowser.com
P
lotBrowser.com is the latest addition to Build It’s series of powerful project tools (www. buildit.co.uk/tools) designed to put you on the path to self build success.
Updated daily, this is your dedicated resource for finding genuine self build land and renovation opportunities. You’ll find 1,000s of plots and properties to view nationwide, and each listing features the site details, photos, guide price and sellers’ contact information – including details such as whether the plot or property is being sold at auction and, if so, when.
Crucially, we’ve done a big part of the plot-hunting job for you: all our plots already have either outline or full planning permission in place, so you won’t have to waste your time looking at duds that might never gain consent to build.
What’s more, we’ve sourced the planning reference for you, so that you can quickly and easily identify the current planning consent on the relevant local authority’s website. This will arm you with a full understanding of the site’s planning history and what’s been permitted, so you can gauge whether the plot can support the kind of house you’d like to create.
The following pages are a sample of the plots, renovations and conversion projects available on PlotBrowser.comthis month.
GOT A PLOT TO SELL?
Head to PlotBrowser.com and register as a seller to list your plot for free.
ENGLAND
BERKSHIRE
THATCHAM
Collaroy
Road,
Cold
Ash A generous plot of 0.45 acres with planning permission for two separate detached dwellings or offering potential to improve the existing detached bungalow (subject to planning).
Guide price: £675,000
Planning: West Berkshire Council 08/01275/FULD
Contact: Jones Robinson 01635 35010
sales@jonesrobinson.co.uk
BRISTOL
CITY
CLEVE
WOOD,
THORNBURY
Grovesend
Road Choice of 14 self build plots located on a new Miller Homes development. This is an opportunity to get involved with the construction of your own home. Miller Homes will arrange the basic infrastructure and each plot will be provided with access to foul and surface water drainage and utilities connections.
Guide price: over £151,930
Planning: South Gloucestershire Council
Contact: Hunters 01454 411522
thornbury@hunters.com
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
MARLOW
Quarry
Wood Timber chalet-style home set in private woodlands of 1.04 acre. There's potential for refurbishment in its current guise, which is a fourbedroom property of approx 2,000ft², or the building could be enlarged, or demolished and rebuilt, subject to planning.
Giude price: £995,000
Planning: Royal Borough
of Windsor and Maidenhead
Contact: Savills 01628 499900
marlow@savills.co.uk
START YOUR PLOT SEARCH
To find more plots with planning permission across the UK, and get free notifications of new opportunities based on your personal criteria, sign up today at www.PlotBrowser.com
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PLOT?
The perfect piece of land would be in a pleasant area, affordable and level, with easy access, good ground conditions and no planning issues or obstructions. The issue, of course, is that plot may not exist. Even the best sites require some compromise, so it’s crucial to properly assess contenders to get as close as possible to your goals.
All the plots in our listings come with planning permission: either outline (a loose affirmation the site can be developed) or full (consent for a particular design). Beware of any site without current approval. Land is worth considerably more once consent has been granted, so if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Once you’ve spotted an opportunity, consider whether the type of house you want can be comfortably accommodated on the plot, and if the existing consent allows for it or could be amended to suit. If it’s a yes to both, then the site is worth a bit more research.
site is worth a bit more research.
Check for issues on the plot that could increase construction costs, make it difficult to get the right design for your needs, or affect the viability of a project. Some of the most notorious budget-busters include steep slopes, difficult access to services, or obstacles like overhead cables. Most issues are not insurmountable and, with good design, some can even be turned to your advantage.
From a planning perspective, check how long is left on the consent. If it is less than six months and you will need to redesign the house to suit your needs or sort out any planning conditions, this could be problematic.
could be problematic. If early investigations seem positive, then you can move on to a more in-depth appraisal of how suitable the site is. Consider access, ground conditions, drainage and legal matters. If you are unsure, seek professional advice. This might mean speaking to your local council. Our useful online resource www.self-build. co.uk/plot-checklistcan help bring structure to this part of the assessment process.