I am searching for a self build plot (min third/acre)

[Ribera30720]

I am looking for a plot of land, minimum third/acre, in a rural location, prepared to consider Kent/Surrey/Sussex, preferably with views - does anyone know of anything that may be available please?

[EmEd1984]

Not off the top of my head :)

Most agents will use Rightmove to advertise any property including land, so your best one-stop-shop is there.

Search your area (and a radius if you like) and select land:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/

If there isn't anything at the moment, you can set up an account to notify you of any new listings as and when they happen.

Failing that, auctions:
http://www.propertyauctions.com/

[Ribera30720]

Thank you .. I have been trying auctions and estate agents for the last two years. This was an attempt to maybe reach someone who owns a piece of land they may be thinking of selling privately before it gets as far as estate agents or otherwise.

[dot.hawkes]

there used to be a magazine called 'build it' about self builds, not sure if it is still in production, there were always land ads in there

[dot.hawkes]

build it magazine uk
it is always in WH Smiths

[dot.hawkes]

http://www.self-build.co.uk/

[Ice.Maiden]

http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sal e.asp?id=8513

These are the sort of prices you're looking at Ribera, although smaller plots, without building permission, can be obtained in the areas from around �5000. Might be worth buying as an investment.

[EmEd1984]

sorry Ribera, didn''t realise you'd been looking so long! Nightmare.

Rather than the obvious routes you must've now exhausted, why not sift through denied planning applications in the areas you're interested in (through the council). If they've not yet been built on you might find some developers have maybe now given up attempting to gain planning permissions, and in the current climate they might snap up an offer to take it off their hands...?

[Ribera30720]

That�s an idea I hadn�t thought of ... brilliant! I will look at that. Thanks

[buildersmate]

Do not buy a piece of land without Planning Permission unless you know what you are doing and are prepared to take a risk. Land without planning consent is not a plot - its called a field.
Rural properties of the type you describe are like gold-dust. I assume you appreciate what the rought market cost will be? - �300k - �600k or more, depending how big a house you can get on there, and I've factored that for the current economic climate.
Me? - I bought a near derelict bungalow in a quarter acre and fought to grow the planning consent. Central Southern England. Took three years of pretty intensive searching to find it - it was advertised through a conventional Estate Agent who didn't appreciate the opportunity to demolish/rebuild.

[Ribera30720]

Yes I agree with that ... I have spent a couple of hours on the phone to local planners this morning in connection with a couple of possibilities I have found - one is a complete no no and the other a possibility .... so I certainly appreciate how much time and effort were involved in achieving what you have.... worth the effort though eh!! I suppose my biggest problem is I am currently living 150 miles away from the area I potentially want to live in which makes viewing a little tedious to say the least! Nevertheless the search continues .... and thanks again for your help - much appreciated.

[buildersmate]

Oh yes - worth persevering with - in AONB with a Nature Reserve opposite (not long sweeping views though).
Don't underestimate the potential of crappy old 50s bungalows - often in decent-sized plots. Can always get 50% increase in original volume of dwelling on these and more if can get the planners onside.
'Grew' the 900 sqft bungalow site into 2-storey house of 2700 sqft plus detached enormous garage, in exchange of a sympathetic house of handmade bricks and clay tiles.
Don't believe the 'savings' claimed in the mags - inspecting the small print usually reveals the owner already had the land. Probably best to reckon on 20% saving on off-the-peg comparative house if you do a lot of it yourself, plus you get what you exactly wanted.