Hoping to self build on Wiltshire

[Sophie94]

Hello! Totally new to self building but have been doing lots of research. Basically weighing up the pros and cons of self building or buying our first home. With the market as it is, self build is appealing although we appreciate it will be a much tougher journey with lots of expenses to think about. 
Currently searching for land in Wiltshire. Does anyone have any advice for land that doesn’t currently have planning permission - how can you even begin to find out whether it would likely have planning accepted without actually submitting planning?! We will also likely have a small holding on the land - it has been suggested that agricultural use can help with planning if you need to be there 24/7 for the animals. Looking at this being a long term project and looking to put a mobile home on the land to start with. Any advice welcome please, even better if you’ve done the same thing in Wiltshire!

[Jilly]

That's a really big question... land without planning will be cheap, but its a great risk, so then its expensive...

[JamesP]

I have friends doing similar. Purchased 25 acres, which is probably the minimum, have farmed cows and pigs and now have planning to live in a temporary agricultural dwelling, a mobile home. 

They had to justify farming is  the main source of income, it isn't.  Employed a specialist planning consultant. Took 5 years before they moved on to the land. Will now try for permanent dwelling.

Its all bit of game so think think long term. 

[nod]

I’d be very wary of land without planning Unless you intend playing the long game 

It’s now so cheap and easy to get an informed opinion as to weather a field is a potential plot 

[Temp]

Read: "How to find and buy a Building Plot" by Roy Speer and others. Might be on Amazon.  Try for latest edition you can find. Some things will have changed but the basics are all in there.

 

On land without planning...

 

It might be possible to agree an "Option to Purchase Contract" with the land owner. Correctly worded this gives you the right, but not the obligation, to buy a plot for a period of say 18 months and an agreed price. This gives you opportunity to try and get planning without the owner pulling out of the deal after you have spent a lot of time and money on it.  Such a contract needs to be professionally written.  

 

Before you spend and money people on this form have a pretty good idea of what might get planning and what is very unlikely to get planning. Context of the plot is everything. What's around it? What planning history does it have? Access? Local Planning Policy? Services?

 

You can also hire a Planning Consultant. Initially to just look at a plot and tell you if its worth trying to get planning. Then perhaps again to actually compile the case for the planning planning application, managing an appeal if it comes to that.

 

Best not to think too much about the sort of house you want until you find a potential plot. Except for some exceptions the house has to be designed to suit the plot and its planning status.

 

It may sound like a lot to some people but I would budget £5,000 to get to the state where you have planning permission on a plot. I spent a year and double that. I'm not saying you cant do it for a lot less but it depends how lucky you get and what reports the planners require.

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by Temp

[SteamyTea]

Why do you think self build is appealing to get a house?

Edited May 30, 2021 by SteamyTea