Skip to the main content
Stellco Homes Logo

Where Can I Find a Plot To Build My Own Home?

  • Francesca Baccarella
    4 minute read...

Building plots aren’t always as easy to find as searching for a house and choosing a plot isn’t always as straight forward as it seems. There are many ways to go plot hunting and there is no telling where you might find your dream location.

Consider the location, take a drive around some of the areas you are searching in and get a feel for the area. Do your research and join the local Facebook group to ask questions. It may even be worth finding out what WIFI services are available if you rely on the internet for work. It’s much better to focus on specific locations rather than just anywhere as you may be overwhelmed with the research and options.

How To Find a Solo Plot

There are several websites dedicated to helping you find a plot such as Rightmove, Plotsearch, Plot Finder and Plot Browser.

However, you are not limited to these sites because you may also find plots through Facebook groups, Property auctions, the Right to Build Register and custom build or serviced plots from companies such as us, Stellco Homes where services are already supplied for you on the plot or one of our custom build plots where we take care of everything for you, without the fuss, or risk of going it alone.   

Alternatively, you could try your luck in person. If there is a particular area you are looking to build in, you could write a letter to the locals introducing yourself as a potential purchaser and you might find someone who hadn’t previously considered selling their land or house to be knocked down and re-built. 

Before you go ahead and purchase a plot, it may be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the types of plots available which we have outlined below. 

There are 5 main types of plots:

1. Brownfield Land

This is land that has previously been developed and services are likely to be in place however brownfield land does carry some risks. There are lots of complex planning details to comply with and can be trickier to deal with. Having said this, most planners look very favourably at brownfield developments and are usually found in ideal urban areas. Local authorities keep a brownfield land register which may be a good place to start searching.

2. Greenfield Land 

This is land that has never been built on. This land is more challenging to get planning permission on but not impossible. Greenfield land can be seen as a blank canvas for building however it may present challenges such as utilities supply, access issues and greater exposure to the elements. This type of land should not be confused with ‘Greenbelt’ land which is more tightly protected.

3. Garden Plots

Domestic gardens (individual or combined with neighbours) can be considered an option for new housing and are more likely to be sold to one-off house builders than large developers so this is a great option for self-build homes. With garden plots, check that there will be no loss of amenity and privacy to neighbours and there is adequate vehicle access; be careful of back-land or tandem development which would be frowned upon by the local planning authority. Also, beware of covenants that can restrict what you can do! For instance, not more than one dwelling. 

4. Buy to demolish

In some cases, knocking down a house and rebuilding is much more cost-effective than renovating it and in areas where individual plots are rare, it is often the best way to secure the location you want. Look for small or run-down houses with large gardens or bungalows where you could build a two-story house to increase the habitable space. 

5. Designated or Protected Areas  

Some locations have specific designations and are subject to strict controls. There are restrictions on activities and developments that might affect a designated or protected area, for example building new houses or roads in a conservation area or next to or adjacent to a listed building. You are very unlikely to be granted planning permission for a new house, or even a demolish and rebuild, in these cases. 

Word of Warning: 

You should never buy a plot of land without planning permission even if it is cheaper. If it looks too good to be true then it usually is. Despite the seller stating “planning permission is highly likely” you should consider why they haven’t obtained planning previously. Be aware that utility services may not be accessible or the land may be at risk of flooding.

Overall, the simplest and quickest way to obtain a plot and start getting to work on your house is through a custom build company such as us at Stellco Homes. A company like us, Stellco Homes, buys sites with around 10 plots and then sells them individually to people on their customer register. They can then either go forward with a self-build or work with Stellco Homes to do a custom build where the customer specifies the design preferences while Stellco works on the build to a fixed budget and timetable. If you are interested in working with Stellco Homes to build a custom home to make the whole process much easier and stress-free, then join our register for free HERE. Or check out our website for sites that are available or in the pipeline.

Good luck and we hope you find what you are looking for.