Identifying a viable building site is the first step in your self build journey. Get ahead of the competition with these plot hunting tips

Gorgeous plots do exist - but if you have grand designs on that secluded rural location, bear in mind that it’s incredibly rare to get planning consent for a completely new house in the countryside. Demolish and rebuild may be a better route

T racking down the right plot for your project is a little more complex than purchasing an existing house. The good news is over 13,000 people manage to find land and build every year - but if you want the best chance of identifying a viable site, it’s worth getting to grips with the process first. Here’s what you need to know.

LAND FINDING ROUTES

Few self builders simply stumble on a great plot by chance and end up building on it. Identifying the right opportunity can take considerable time and effort, so it pays to adopt a multipronged approach. So what are the best land hunting routes?

Use your contacts Tell your friends and co-workers that you are looking for a plot. They may have heard of someone selling in your preferred area, for instance, or even have a large garden they’d be willing to split at the right price.

Go exploring Walk around the locale to identify potential opportunities such as empty land between houses, garden plots or disused garages. If you spot a site you think has scope to build on, approach the owner and let them know you are interested. If the owner isn’t obvious and you can’t find out via the Land Registry, try speaking to the neighbour.

Talk to locals Head to pubs and shops in the area you’re considering to meet residents, as they may be able to tell you about opportunities not yet listed. Professionals such as architects, building surveyors or planning consultants in the region may be a useful source of leads, too - and you might want to use their services further down the line.

Speak to business owners Local farmers, breweries, universities and other organisations may have surplus land they want to sell (or would consider selling). Many do so via estate agents, but there’s no harm approaching them directly.

Sign up for your Right to Build Councils are now obliged to maintain official self build registers, thanks to the government’s Right to Build legislation. You can record your interest in obtaining a plot and state the type of project you are keen to pursue. If 200 people sign up, the council is then supposed to permission 200 viable sites within a three-year period. You aren’t guaranteed land, but the legislation should see the availability of build-ready plots improve dramatically.