A-Z of Self Build Guides Finding A Plot Of Land For Sale

Date Published:

03/06/2008

When it comes to the design and type of any new development, there can be constraints in the planning permission, so examine any existing permission thoroughly. In fact, go over it with a fine tooth comb! The local authority has the power to require a very high standard of design which is sympathetic to the existing environment, the type of area and the local housing style. New developments must make a positive contribution to the character of the area.

In view of this, your council can require additional information in support of any planning application showing how the proposal will relate to the conservation area. This can mean the submission of elevations of adjacent buildings, full details of the proposal and examples of materials and colour. Usually only a fully detailed planning application will be considered, which should be accompanied by a design statement.

The planning authorities can impose a condition limiting the development to a single storey or stipulating a maximum size for the dwelling. The authorities may also require off-street parking and room to turn your vehicle to prevent reversing into a main road. Building plots for sale should be at least one tenth of an acre in size. This should give reasonable space for an average size dwelling with room around the property.

It is worth noting the initial local authority search against the site will only cover that plot, and not any surrounding land. Therefore the search will not show any planning permissions or matters affecting land or buildings outside the boundaries of the property. It is vital to ask your solicitor to check these issues if you feel any possible neighbouring development may affect your site eventually.

Where can you Build on it?

Is the plot on a local flood plain? Is there a nearby river? Is there a stream close to the site? Are they likely to burst their banks at any stage? The ground may be dry on your site visit, but what will happen during a long periods of wet weather?

The ground conditions are important as this will form the foundations of any new property. It may be necessary to instruct a specialist to ensure the plot is not affected by flooding, pollution or any type of contamination. A specialist will be able to test the plot and advise you accordingly.

Neighbours are often a useful source of information, particularly if they have lived in their home for some time. And consulting the local authority can also produce valuable historical information.

There may be covenants to any planning permission and you will need to consider other regulations and consents when building. These could include conservation areas, which could protect certain property, walls and fences etc. And then there are tree protection orders, giving protection from removal and alteration. Trees can often be a problem on a new development, so you will need to check which - if any - trees are affected by a tree preservation order. This information will be shown on your local authority search, but you may wish to check with the council at an early stage - this information could well affect the layout of the plots. Also on the list could be the protection of wildlife, which will safeguard indigenous creatures to the site.

Having a new development nearby can occasionally aggravate even the calmest of neighbours. You should always need to be completely clear about where the exact boundaries are - and if this is not the case, then meet the neighbours to assess where the boundaries are. Obviously always do this before you purchase any land, as you want to make sure this sort of problem is sorted out by the seller, or that a reduction in the price is made to cover the cost of such negotiations.