BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO finding land
Identifying a plot with real potential is one of the most difficult aspects of self building. These plot hunting tips will help you nail it
Above: Gorgeous plots do exist – but if you have grand designs on that secluded rural location, bear in mind that it’s incredibly rare to get planning consent for a completely new house in the countryside. Demolish and rebuild may be an easier route
Uncovering the right plot for your bespoke home building project is a little more complex than purchasing an existing house. Plots are relatively scarce in the UK and planning policies tend to restrict new schemes to existing development boundaries.
The good news is over 13,000 people manage to find land for their bespoke home every year and the government’s new review into self and custom build (see page 10 for more info) should help facilitate these building routes. If you want the best chance of spotting a viable site, it’s worth getting to grips with the process first.
FIRST STEPS
Before diving into the world of plot finding, you need to narrow down your search zone. A common mistake budding self builders make is by having too wide an area and getting overwhelmed with the possibilities. Decide where you want to live – and where you can afford to – and focus your efforts on a more manageable set of plots.
LAND FINDING ROUTES
Once you have the location nailed down, identifying the right opportunity can take considerable time and effort. So, it pays to take a multi-pronged approach.
Use your contacts Tell your friends and co-workers that you are looking for a plot. They may have heard of someone selling in your preferred area, for instance, or even have a large garden they’d be willing to split at the right price.
Go exploring Walk around your desired locale to identify potential opportunities such as empty land between houses,
garden plots or disused garages. If you spot a site you think has scope, approach the owner and let them know you are interested. If the owner isn’t obvious and you can’t find out via the Land Registry, try speaking to the neighbour.
Talk to locals Head to pubs and shops in the area to meet residents; they may be able to tell you about opportunities not yet listed. Professionals such as architects, building surveyors or planning consultants can be a useful source of leads, too – and you may decide to use their services later.
Speak to business owners Local farmers, breweries, universities and other organisations may have surplus land they want to sell (or would consider selling). Many do so via agents, but there’s no harm approaching them directly.