Your self build project can only start once you’ve found the right site. But what are the red flags that could signal an expensive mistake? Mike Dade shares his expert insights for getting this important purchase right

W hen you buy a site, or a building for conversion, you need to be sure that you’ll be able to construct the home you want on it. It’s essential, therefore, that you’re aware of the warning signs that could signal potential problems. These could be anything from planning issues to legal complications to practical constraints with the land itself. We’ll have a look at all of these so that you’re both forearmed and forewarned!

The scams

An unfortunate and long-running feature of the plot market has been small parcels of land offered for sale at irresistibly attractive prices. These usually take the form of fields or paddocks, divided up into numerous small parcels of around a quarter of an acre, often located within the green belt or open countryside.

The defining feature that they all share is that none of them have a cat’s chance in hell of being granted planning permission to build new houses. So, at risk of stating the obvious, if it looks too good to be true, then it almost certainly is.