January is the month of aspirations and resolutions, so what are your goals for the coming year? Are you one of the many with ambitions to build your own home? Is this the year to turn your dreams of a self-build into a plan and action? As a specialist in premium charred timber cladding, we’ve supplied many self-builders with materials that add exceptional finishes to their project. Let us share a few tips on finding a plot to help move things forward.
The Desire to Self Build
Back in 2020, a NaCSBA study* revealed that a third of adults were interested in the opportunity to self-build, while 9% were seriously considering a unique construction project. The main drive was creating a home to your specifications. That includes the architectural design, the room layout and the building materials.
Every year 10,000 to 12,000 dwellings are constructed by self-builders in the UK. This equates to around 7% of homes, which is considerably fewer than in mainland Europe and other parts of the world. The issue isn’t lack of desire, but several barriers that inhibit opportunities.
Firstly, viable land is often purchased by building developers limiting plot availability. Secondly, gaining funding to invest in a project isn’t straightforward. Thirdly, gaining planning permission has been an issue for some. However, a growing number of building societies now offer self-build mortgages and the Government has introduced several reforms to simplify the planning process. Will this increase the appetite for turning dreams into reality?
Viable Plots for Self Build Projects
One of the first steps in the process is to identify where you want to live. Although some flexibility is good, planning the location helps to narrow down the search. When you’ve decided on a geographical location, there are several steps to help explore viable plots.
Join the Self-Build Register
Every council has to hold a register of people with an interest in building a home as their primary residence. For every name on the Self Build & Custom Building list, they are required to provide designated plots in the following 3 years. So, the more people who sign up, the more opportunities there will be to self-build.
The Council may ask for information on your connection to the area and other information to understand your requirements. And, be prepared to be charged a small fee to be on the register. Many councils also have a Brownfield register, offer advice for self-builders and have a list of available plots. However, being on the register is not a guarantee of getting a plot.
Visit Property Auctions
It can be interesting to visit an auction to see properties that could be suitable for renovation or knocking down. This can give you an idea of the size of local plots and opportunities in towns or villages where new plots are unlikely to become available.
Register Interest with Local Land Agents
Tell people in the local area about your interest in finding a plot of land. You never know who has a connection that could lead to your ideal spot. Those most likely to know about potential sites, such as land being converted from agricultural to residential use, are local land agents. Your architect might also have a valuable network.
Connect with the Self-Build Community
Another valuable source of knowledge comes from others in the self-build community. There are several online forums, including Build Hub, along with content shared by those going through the process. In addition, there are online publications, including Housebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Build It and of course, Grand Designs. Get reading for all the latest insight!
Different Types of Plot
There are several different types of plot. Unserviced land is the cheapest to buy, however, it could incur extensive costs. That’s because it isn’t connected to key utilities and has no planning permission for development.
The majority of self-builders look for a serviced plot with Highway access, a power supply, water mains and drainage. Serviced plots also come with ‘outline’ or ‘full’ planning permission. Some Councils are more open to providing serviced plots than others and this could determine your location. A great example was Oxfordshire Council. They designated an entire site, Graven Hill in Bicester, to serviced plots. Several self-builders on this site were featured in a Grand Design series, The Street.
Alternatively, there is the option of renovating or knocking down and rebuilding an existing site. In this case, check for planning restrictions and the condition of utility supplies.
Whichever plot you choose, ensure it fits the bill. Consider access for construction vehicles and deliveries of building materials, as well as your architectural plans.
Moving On
With a plot secured, work can begin on the foundations and your project gets underway! Then it’s time to start specifying and ordering materials. If timber cladding is an option, get in touch to arrange a visit to our on-site showroom. Visit us to see and compare the colours, textures, timbers and grains in the Shou Sugi Ban® range.
To find out more, book an appointment or request samples, please call us on 01494 711800.
*https://nacsba.org.uk/news/1-in-3-adults-interested-in-self-building/