Building Plot Considerations

Working on the basis that you have identified a plot that you are interested in purchasing, what are some of the factors that you should consider?

Planning Permission

If a plot does not have Outline Planning Permission then it is not a building plot – it’s simply a piece of ground.  Ask yourself why it doesn't have planning.  Why would someone put a plot on the market if it doesn't have Outline Planning?  A plot is worth more with Outline Planning consent granted. 

Access

What length will the access road to the house be?  What will the gradient be like?  Will the likely route of the access take you to the front, back or side of the house?  How will this affect the orientation of the house? 

Size, shape and topography

Is it large enough to accommodate your preferred design?  Remember that big houses need room to breathe. Remember too that you will need space for car parking and a turning area. And what about a garage or garden shed? 

Is your plot long and narrow?  Will the house be on a slope? 

Will the house be at the front, back or centre of the plot? How does this affect the route of the access road and where will you park your car?

Ground Conditions

You can build on just about any kind of ground - wet, dry, fertile, rocky, etc.  At one end of the scale you have wet, boggy ground and at the other hard, rocky ground.  Either is feasible, but somewhere between the two would be best and cheapest to develop.

If in doubt you should consider seeking advice from a surveyor.

Access to services

Increasingly getting a mains water supply is becoming an issue, even here on Skye where it rains occasionally!  Lack of a mains water supply may mean having to consider a borehole solution or sourcing a private water supply from a nearby spring or water-course. These are perfectly feasible solutions, but will require more effort and planning than connecting to the mains.

Will you be able to connect to a mains sewer system?  If not, you will need a private septic tank or treatment plant.  This is not unusual in rural areas, in fact it is the most likely solution.

What about electricity?  Thankfully supply isn’t usually an issue, although the cost of a connection may be.  The further away your plot is from the supply, then the more it is going to cost.

Check with the relevant utility companies to find out if a supply can be arranged and what the likely costs may be.

Cost

Only you can answer this one! This is an important factor; can you afford to buy the plot and develop it without eating into your build budget?