New homes can be built on a range of sites and knowing about the opportunities can help you spot land with potential. Here are the key options:
BROWNFIELD SITES
This refers to previously developed land that is or was once occupied by a permanent structure. Government policy supports the provision of new housing in such locations and, on a practical level, services are likely to be in place.
DEMOLISH & REPLACE
A type of brownfield opportunity where you could knock down a building, such as an old bungalow, and construct a new home in its place. It’s often more cost-effective than a renovation as VAT can be reclaimed on a new build project.
EDGE-OF-SETTLEMENT
Depending on the maps in the relevant council’s Local Plan, this kind of site may or may not fall within existing built-up area boundaries. Generally, policies allow development within this zone, but control it very strictly outside. Any undeveloped land, known as greenfield,
will typically only support housing to serve the needs of agriculture, replacement dwellings and some infill.
INFILL PLOTS
Many councils define this as a small gap between an otherwise built-up frontage or group of houses. Infilling is usually allowed within settlements’ development boundaries, and sometimes outside of these. Gaining consent will be more difficult in zones such as conservation areas.