How to Self Build or Renovate in the Countryside

A new home in the countryside is often synonymous with a higher quality of life, and with the views and additional space afforded, a rural plot is a revered location for a dream self-build. But for those accustomed to the convenience of urban living, it can also pose considerable challenges.

Your rural plot search should not just include the properties up for sale, but just as importantly, encompass a close look at the surrounding area. Access is a priority. Locate the nearest shops, schools and amenities from the outset. Public transport, where available, will be less frequent, so be prepared for higher petrol bills. And no amount of fresh air or breathtaking scenery will compensate for the reality of a lengthy daily commute. An isolated plot may also mean you’ll have to be creative when it comes to on-site deliveries during the build.

Open countryside, which includes land outside established settlements and Local Development Plans, is strictly controlled. Yet it’s not impossible to build in the countryside and there are several routes available, as explained over these pages. Like The Good Life, you may also find yourself turning self-sufficient — for water, drainage and fuel. Connecting to mains services can be a complicated and expensive business on rural plots, and either the impossibility of connection or escalating costs may mean that you’re looking at one of the off-mains options — which again comes with higher capital expenditure and running costs. But self-reliance can actually be a positive when renewables become a part of your plans for a new life in the country.

Find out more about building in the countryside:

• Drainage and Water
• Planning Permission
• Fuel and Energy

Further reading:

• Off Mains Drainage Solutions
• A Sustainable Self Build in the Devonshire Countryside
• A Timber Frame Home in a National Park