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Square Feet

Entry posted by Square Feet in General

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I've spent the last few days carrying out some desktop due diligence on the plot I want to buy. I thought I would detail it here in case it helps anyone else on their plot buying journey in Scotland.

 

I've accessed as much information as I possibly can about the plot from the following sources. Most were free, but two were paid. In total I have spent £9.60 on this. 

 

  1. ScotLIS - Scotland's land registry. You can search the index for free and may glean some information, but for to access the title sheet, deeds and owner info you need to pay £3.60 (£3 plus VAT). The download to your email is instant. 
  2. WhoOwnsScotland.  This is a privately run website that allows you to map search for the details of significant landowners.  I used it in addition to the above as the plot I am interested in is in the countryside and surrounded by farmland.  It costs £6 for one month.  (I happen to have an annual subscription for this already which works out at £1 a month, but if you just want it for one thing it's £6). It doesn't show small plots below a certain size which is why I needed the land registry info too.
  3. Council planning portal. Free. From this I have been able to view the existing (lapsed planning), and read all the documents, view plans etc. I did the same for earlier planning applications on the same plot and also neighbouring houses.  There's a vast amount of information available. I now have a pretty good idea of what kind of house will be allowed and what won't and also a steer on the council's likely response to road access, archaeology, environmental, services etc. I also found the owner's email address which they had neglected to redact. 
  4. National Library of Scotland. Free. I used their 'side by side' feature to view historical maps alongside the existing google aerial view. This allowed me to compare the 1800's map with the present day to get some insight as to any old buildings that might be on the site.
  5. Google Earth. Free. I used the Historical Imagery button to enable me to go back through earlier satellite images of the plot. This allowed me to see if any modern buildings had been on the site since Google Earth started recording imagery in 2009.
  6. Companies House. Free. The plot is owned by a limited company so I was able to find the owner's details including age and address. This allowed me to get a better idea of who is selling the plot and why.  I could also see what value had been given to the plot in the company's balance sheet. 

 

I now feel as though I have a much better feel for the plot and the reasons why it hasn't sold so far. I still haven't heard back from the agents but I will try again with the benefit of feeling better informed to begin negotiations in order to make an offer subject to planning. Of all I've read today, the only thing that concerns me is some of the clauses in the deeds, which I can't interpret without the help of my lawyer anyway. I won't bother them though until I have an informal price agreed with the agents as there's no point getting carried away if the seller won't budge on the price. There were some things that I learned today that I hope will give me leverage though.

 

Please don't tell me that I have to be careful regarding a plot that doesn't have planning - I know this already.  I'm not about to throw a large wedge of cash away on a plot that can't be built on so of course I will make sure I am completely covered and have plenty of legally binding get-out clauses before I formally offer on it. 

 

If I missed a useful source then please feel free to add it to the comments below.

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SteamyTea

SteamyTea 5760

Posted

It is quite amazing how much information can be gleaned with some cross referencing.

 

  • Like 1
ProDave

ProDave 9167

Posted

Other things you need to find out being a rural plot.  Drainage.  Both foul and rainwater.

 

Is the plot big enough to support a treatment plant and associated drainage field and also a soakaway for wainwater.  Taking into account building regs distance from buildings, boundaries and each other?

 

If not is there an agreement in place with adjacent land owners for a drainage field under their land?

 

Have percolation tests been done to prove the viability of land drainage (and calculate the size)?

 

Cost of getting mains water to the plot, or alternative viable private supply?

 

Cost of getting an electricity supply?

 

Access to the plot including rights over any private tracks etc.

 

If it is shared access over a private track how many houses use it already?  when it gets to 5 houses it is required to be upgraded, surfaced to proper standards and then adopted.

  • Like 1
Square Feet

Square Feet 66

Posted

Thanks Dave, yes that was all covered in the deeds and planning consent. The reason I wanted more info about surrounding landowners was to check how robust some of the agreements are. I'm sorry that I can't say any more at this stage and am being a bit cryptic, but I'm not wanting to give the location away! 

There's nothing there that's causing me concern re the water, drainage or services though. I know it all needs checking to make sure it's still current but it seems good so far.

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