A home in the countryside is something many self builders aspire to. Mike Dade explains how to spot potential sites and navigate the planning requirements

This modern new build was designed by Paul Cashin Architects (paul cashinarchitects. co.uk). The house replaces a series of brick buildings that had fallen into disrepair and planning consent was achieved at appeal

Rural settings are popular with self builders and can represent an opportunity to create the house of your dreams. However, planning policies that govern new development in the countryside are restrictive; permission for new homes is only granted in limited circumstances. Conversion is one such instance, (see www.self-build.co.uk/tackling-conversion-project) but what about plots specifically? Opportunities do exist, plus replacement and refurbishment schemes offer more scope as well. In a competitive market, if you’re looking to tackle a project in this kind of location, you need to know how to identify and make the most of what’s out there.

The basics

Most local authorities have planning policies that distinguish between built up areas and countryside. The latter isn’t simply classed as open fields and woods; it can include hamlets, villages and edge of town locations, despite such settings sometimes being quite built up. The distinction is important, as policies within what the council defines as ‘countryside’ are quite different to those applying in built up environments, even though the two regions might appear equally rural.