Serviced plot

2024-04-05T08:13:17Z

Gitssac:

Self building is an alternative to the traditional model of house building in the UK. Traditionally, houses are built speculatively by a developer, and then people buy them and move in.

Self builders instigate the development of the home themselves, whether by purchasing a kit house, working with a developed (sometimes referred to as ‘custom build’), employing consultants (such as an architect) and a contractor, or managing the entire process and ordering all the goods and services required themselves.

The custom and self-build industry in the UK only accounts for around 14,000 new homes every year (2023). This compares very unfavourably with other EU countries. In Austria for example, more than 80% of new homes are self built.

= Serviced plot background =

The average self-build project in the UK takes 2 years. However, self-build projects on ‘serviced plots’ can take just one year.

The government’s Custom Build Serviced Plots Loan Fund (fund now withdrawn) leaflet defines serviced plots as ‘…shovel ready sites with planning permission, where plots or parcels of land are laid out and ready for construction. Access is provided and each plot or parcel of land has utilities/services provided within its boundary.’

This means you gain certainty over the early-stage costs of buying and servicing your plot, and - if you wish - builders can go straight onto the site and begin construction.

Alternatively, you can seek to change the design within the boundaries of the site's outline design code. This may be enabled through the use of Plot Passports that help you to understand what will be permitted; streamlining the design and planning process.

= Custom Build Serviced Plots Loan Fund =

On 12 March 2015, then Housing Minister Brandon Lewis announced the next phase of a £150 million fund open to small builders and community groups as short-term loans to help get the land ready for housebuilding. The land can then be sold as individual serviced plots to people looking to build their own home. Ref Gov.uk, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-fund-to-support-thousands-more-custom-builders A multi-million pound fund will help aspiring custom builders get their projects off the ground more quickly].

Brandon Lewis said, “This fund will help create shovel-ready serviced plots so small developers and custom-builders can get on and build, finishing their projects more quickly.”

= Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act =

In addition, the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/17/contents/enacted/data.htm Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015] brings forward the ‘right to build’ by placing a duty on councils to maintain a register of people who are looking to buy serviced plot land to build their own homes.

The Act states, rather vaguely that a serviced plot of land ‘…means a plot of land which satisfies such requirements about utilities and other matters as may be specified’.

The Act has since been strengthened by further legislation.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

* CDM for self-builders and domestic clients.
* Community right to build.
* Custom-build homes.
* Kit house.
* Planning permission.
* Plot.
* Self-build home.
* Self-build home project plan.
* Self-build homes negotiating discounts.
* Self-build initiative.
* Right to build.
* VAT refunds on self-build homes.

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Self-build home: Find a plot

2024-04-05T08:04:24Z

Gitssac:

[[File:Self_build_plan_header.jpg|link=Self-build_home:_project_plan]]

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Find potential plots.

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Finding a suitable plot (or property for conversion) is one of the biggest challenges for self-builders as demand generally exceeds supply. It might involve:

* Advertising.
* Registering with estate agents, land agents and local authorities.
* Using online search sites such as [https://www.plotbrowser.com PlotBrowser] and [https://www.rightmove.co.uk Rightmove].
* Offering a finder’s fee to property professionals.
* Joining a self-build forum.
* Considering land or property owned by family members.
* Approaching owners of land designated for residential use in local development plans.
* Analysing aerial photography and large-scale maps which might reveal potential infill plots, such as; large back gardens, waste ground or brownfield sites.
* Poorly built, low-value properties that might be worth purchasing for their land value.

Be aware that there are a number of scams that attempt to exploit people looking for self-build plots. Always keep in mind the phrase ‘buyer beware’. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

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Assess potential plots.

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In considering different potential plots, it is important to assess:

* Compatibility with the requirements set out in the brief.
* The likelihood that planning permission will be granted, including possible objections from interested parties. Some sites are offered with outline planning permission, and without this, or detailed planning permission, the site may not be a developable plot. Proceeding with such a plot is taking a risk that the vendor did not consider worthwhile. However, plots with permission in place are likely to be more expensive.
* The date of any planning consent. Construction of a development must begin within three years of a planning approval, and reserve matters applications (applications giving details following an outline planning permission) must be made within three years of the outline approval.
* The planning history of the plot.
* Uses of adjoining land.
* Future developments planned in the area that might impact on the proposed plot.
* The connectivity of the location in terms of; transport links, access to schools, shops and other amenities.
* The exact legal boundaries of the plot.
* Ease of access onto the plot, both for construction vehicles and once the home is complete.
* Site orientation relative to the sun, views, prevailing wind and so on.
* Land topography, levels and flood risk.
* Availability or proximity of utilities. The cost of bringing utilities to a site will depend on the distance from existing connections and can be very expensive.
* Price in relation to the budget, including stamp duty land tax.
* Legal complexities, such as listed buildings, conservation areas, boundary disputes, party walls, easements, restrictive covenants, tree preservation orders and so on. See Technical due diligence for more information.
* The presence of protected species such as great crested newts or controlled species such as Japanese knotweed which can delay developments and incur significant costs.
* Obstructions such as old foundations which may need to be removed.
* Whether there is any contaminated land.
* The suitability of ground conditions for supporting a building and for landscaping.
* The possible layout of accommodation on the site.
* The likely value of the completed development.

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[[Self-build_home:_Develop_a_delivery_strategy|Next stage: Develop a delivery strategy]].

[[Self-build_home:_project_plan|List of all stages]].

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Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Serviced plot

Self-build home: Find a plot