plotbrowser.com
FIND YOUR DREAM BUILDING PLOT
PlotBrowser.com is 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 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 information 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
BRISTOL CITY
WESTBURY ON TRYM 9 Abbey Road Planning permission granted to create a bespoke single fourbedroom dwelling with parking and a south-facing garden. Guide price: £300,000 Planning: Bristol City Council 22/00230/F Contact: Savills 01179 335800 clifton@savills.com
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
CUDDINGTON Cowleas Barn A rare plot extending to approximately 0.53 acres with planning permission for a five-bedroom house. Guide price: £975,000 Planning: Aylesbury Vale District Council Contact: Knight Frank LLP 01865 790077 oxford@knightfrank.com
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
CASTLE CAMPS Olmstead Green A leafy plot with planning to build a remarkable three-bedroom house. Designed by Hawkes Architecture, the innovative plan will harness the site’s historical setting next to the former RAF Castle Camps, with an architectural concept referencing the design of de Havilland mosquito planes. Living accommodation is split-level and there are 0.8 acres of gardens. Guide price: £595,000 Planning: South Cambridgeshire District Council 21/03475/FUL Contact: The Modern House 020 3795 5920 info@themodernhouse.com
BEDFORDSHIRE
KEMPSTON HARDWICK Lake View, Manor Road Approved planning has been granted for two double-fronted detached homes on a waterside plot surrounded by trees and shrubs.
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.
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.
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.