Developing a plot of land
We often get asked “We have a plot of land, what can we build on it?”.
As always in property, there are some common principles which will apply to all plots which we will go through here, and when you are ready to discuss your project, we are available to discuss it with you in more detail.
To build permanent structures on a plot you will need planning permission. The plot may come with planning permission, or it may not. Buying a plot without planning permission can be risky because planning may take a long time to achieve and there are no guarantees it will ever be achieved.
There are people who buy plots without planning permission and play the long game, expecting that one day planning will be granted. But this is not a strategy that most people will be comfortable with.
It is far safer to either purchase a plot of land that already has planning permission or agree with the seller that you will apply for planning permission and complete your purchase once permission has been granted.
For the majority of uses it will be beneficial for the plot to be close to mains utility services. There are of course people who will aim for an off-grid home but again this is not a strategy that most people will be comfortable with.
The site will need access, and in most cases that means vehicle access, and this will need permission to be approved.
Some areas in the United Kingdom have restrictions on what can be built, and it is important to understand these restrictions when considering the plot. For example, there are conservation areas, Greenbelt areas, and areas of Special Scientific Interest to name a few.
Where the plot is located and which borough it is within will restrict or constrain what can be built. For example, different Boroughs will have different guidelines on garden sizes and allowable housing types. Some Boroughs will require open spaces, play spaces, contributions to local facilities, or specific parking requirements to name a few.
These requirements need to be understood in detail to understand what is feasible on the plot, and also what the cost of the development is going to be.
We often commence the process with a conversation with the client. We discuss questions such as “What are they aiming to achieve?”, “Do they own the land?”, “How is the project being funded?”, “Do they need a cost plan prepared?”, “Is the development being sold on completion?”, “How many units do you need to make it viable?”, “Have they developed other plots in the Borough?”, and “What is the project timeline?”.
Depending on the location of the plot, it may be suitable for detached houses, semi-detached houses, terraced housing, or a flatted development, or a combination of these.