HOW TO GO ABOUT FINDING A BUILDING PLOT

We work with both developers and private clients, and one of the most common complaints we hear from both is how difficult it can be to find the right piece of land to build on. Be it for a one off bespoke home, or a multi-unit development, tracking down the right plot can be the trickiest part of the process.



Here are a few tips that we have heard over the years:

1.     Try to be as flexible as possible. It can be very tricky to find a plot if your search area is small and you are only looking for a particular style of build. If you aren’t flexible on location try to be flexible on design, or conversely if you are fixed on a particular style of building then considering a wider search area could be beneficial;

2.     As well as mainstream sites like Rightmove and OnTheMarket, check out specialist plot advertising sites such as www.PlotBrowser.com from Self Build and Design or www.Plotfinder.net from Homebuilding & Renovating. These are more specialist sites advertising building plots;

3.     Whenever the government are disposing of any assets (letting or sales) these are listed on their asset disposal website www.gov.uk/find-goverment-property . This can be searched by location and there are all sorts of interesting properties that may not make it to other sales sites;

4.     Likewise, take a look at the Brownfield register. Local governments are required to keep an up to date register of Brownfield sites (previously developed but now left unused) that local authorities consider as being appropriate for residential development, or sites granted permission in principle;

5.     If you find a plot that you are interested in that has planning permission for a property that you aren’t keen on, you do not necessarily need to be put off by this. It is not uncommon for a planning application to be submitted for the least controversial option in order to obtain planning permission in the first instance. In many circumstances a further application can be submitted in order to vary the original planning permission. It is worth noting that if you are looking at such a piece of land we advise getting professional advice on this before committing to any purchase;

6.     Make your intentions known in the area that you are looking to buy. Land is often sold away from the open market, so this approach can help put you in touch with the right people. This is also key with estate agents and can help put you in the forefront of their minds should a suitable plot become available; and

7.     It is possible to pick up a bargain at an auction, but on the flip side it is also possible for land to be sold for well over what it might achieve on the open market. If something seems too good to be true, there is often a very good reason.

Most importantly, make sure that you carry out all the necessary legal and planning checks before agreeing a purchase. If you are interested in this topic our next blog in the sequence,  ‘What to Consider When Buying a Building Plot’ will be out shortly.