Assessing a Building Plot

The primary considerations in assessing a site location are generally subjective:

• Does it fulfil your personal aspirations?
• Does it provide the essential ingredients that will allow you and your family to feel comfortable?
• Does it feel instinctively right?
• Does it provide enough space for adaptations and expansion in the years ahead, particularly if you are planning to have a larger family?

Assessing 'best value' for a particular plot of land is difficult, as much will depend on your needs, the funds you have available and the plans you have made for the future. Quality and quantity need to be considered and compared against the asking price for each plot. The higher priced building plots are likely to be located in higher valued neighbourhoods, and this fact alone will underwrite and influence the property's completion value. However, a larger plot in a pleasant but out of the way location may cost less to buy and therefore enable a more substantial property to be built upon it. This, in turn, will allow you to create a property with more rooms, better living space and an extensive garden. Finding the right balance between quantity, quality and cost is essential at this early stage, as it will determine how you proceed and the kind of property eventually built. One of the greatest rewards of a self-build scheme is the opportunity it gives to control the living spaces you require. The more space you have, the more creative you are able to be and the easier it is to produce something unique and satisfying.

Location may be viewed quite differently if the project is a short-term proposal and merely a stepping-stone to a more adventurous self-build scheme. In this case, the purpose is to maximise value by building a property appropriate to the site and its surrounding locality, ensuring that the plot can be easily landscaped and presented quickly to the market. In this situation, the old developer's adage applies: 'Minimise costs and maximise profits'!

The geographic position is a major consideration, regardless of the site. It is fundamental for a self-builder to make himself aware of the physical nature of the plot and how it may affect him and his family in the future. The most significant questions include:

• Is it more than 500 feet above sea level? This is known as the theoretical 'snowline'; buying a plot at this altitude means there is an increased likelihood of severe winter conditions. This may, of course, not be obvious if viewing is undertaken during the mild weather of other seasons.
• Is the plot on a local flood plain? The ground may be dry when you visit it, but what happens during long periods of wet weather? Has a nearby stream burst its banks in the past or does water typically flow from a field onto the plot of land being considered? Neighbours are often a useful source of information, particularly if they have lived in their home for a number of years. Consulting the local authority can also produce valuable historical data and they will usually give advice about the suitability of a particular plot.
• Does the site occupy an unobstructed south-facing position so that the maximum amount of natural light and heat can be enjoyed? If tall trees obstruct light, can these be felled or are they a protected variety? If you are viewing the plot during winter, bear in mind the effect nearby trees will have during spring and summer when they will be in full leaf.

There are also additional matters to contemplate, including the type and size of other properties close to the site. If the plot is substantial and you intend constructing a home to fill the expanse of land, will it be incongruous with other housing in the neighbourhood? The size and design should be sympathetic with those nearby, otherwise it may never realise its true market value. You should also take a wider perspective and look beyond the plot's boundary to assess the amenities and facilities available. Do they meet the needs of your family? Important matters might include the quality of local schools, leisure facilities, shopping, health centres and, of course, access to the motorway network and to public transport. Consider the fact that commuting time is much more important than commuting 'distance'. This factor can greatly increase the number of potential areas you might look at when trying to identify where a suitable plot will be found. Where a motorway junction is nearby, it could take much longer to get to it, if the linking road is one frequently congested with traffic. Conversely, a junction some miles away could be advantageous, if there are quiet roads leading to it.

In Summary

• Check for land contamination by procuring a professional report.
• Consult the local authority to identify the 'use' class and designation of the land being considered.
• Has suitable access to the plot been approved? If not, can one be created and will it be adequate for the delivery of goods and equipment required during construction? Be aware of the practical, legal and financial problems associated with a 'land locked' site.
• Assess carefully whether the plot is contained within an area that provides you and your family with all the amenities and facilities required. Consider the implications of its geographic location and guard against buying land with a history of flooding.
• If mains services do not already exist on the site, assess the cost and practicalities of installing them and any alternatives that may be suitable.

Research the area thoroughly to identify any proposed future local developments, which may adversely affect your self-build scheme.