How do I find a building plot?

ABOVE:You might wonder why you can’t simply buy a field and build a home in the middle of the countryside, but the land is so fiercely protected under planning laws that viable virgin plots are extremely rare.

The first significant step in any self-build project is finding a plot of land on which you desire to build a home — not just any home, but one that best marries your ideals with the type of house you are likely to be allowed to build. For many would-be self-builders, this is the stumbling block that ultimately puts paid to their plans.

Common complaints by plothunters are that there are simply no good plots available in their area, or if there are, they get snapped up too quickly by other selfbuilders or – though less commonly now – developers. However, there are plots out there, it’s just a case of persevering — and not being pickier than you can afford to be.

The golden rule plothunters must never forget is that if it doesn’t have planning permission, then it’s not really a plot. Planning permission is a legal requirement to building any new house — it’s what transforms a muddy scrap of land into a valuable asset, and what prevents us from building wherever we like, e.g. in the middle of the countryside. If planning permission is not in place, you can apply for it yourself – you don’t even have to own the land – but you must check with the local authority that it will be granted before making a purchase.

There are several avenues to finding a plot. Make your first port of call a land - finding agency like plotfinder.net, which for a small fee gives details of thousands of plots.

Just putting your name down with an estate agent is unlikely to produce much, but visit them on a regular basis, and give the impression that you may sell the finished house with them — so when plots come up, your name is the first one they think of. Also check auctions, where a large number of plots are sold, sometimes at below estimate.

A large proportion of self-builds are not on ‘greenfield’ plots but instead replace dated post-war houses, where all or most of the services are already in, so don’t forget to check out ‘renovation opportunities’, too.

Further reading:

• Choosing Self-build Building Plots
• Who Does What with Your Plot?
• Restrictive Covenants: A Stop on Your Plot?
• The Essential Plothunter's Checklist