Growing demand for self build plots across the UK

More than 1,000 people in the UK start the year looking for self build plots
Sofia Delgado
by Sofia Delgado
23rd February 2019

The demand for building plots continues to increase across the UK, according to specialist listing website PlotSearch.

More than 1,000 people have subscribed in January alone, hoping to find land with potential to create a dream home.

The new subscribers are looking for plots in every region, with the top ten plots viewed including a barn conversion in Somerset, a semi-rural plot in Sussex and a site in the remote Scottish Highlands.

Read more: The Complete Guide to Find a Plot

The year 2019 will see the first self and custom build serviced plots become available as a result of the Right to Build scheme.

The legislation came into force in 2016 and places the onus on councils across England to grant planning permission for enough serviced plots to meet local demand from self builders.

More planning permissions are to be granted year on year for an array of self and custom build projects. An example being Wokingham council, which has recently announced plans to release 21 self building plots, including land available under the shared ownership scheme.

PlotSearch data suggest that the largest demographic group looking to self build across the UK is those aged 26-40 – going against the assumption that self build is only for the older and more established generations.

This trend could indicate that younger people who are struggling to get on the property ladder are looking to self build as an alternative to buying a new build or existing property. The south of England where the housing crisis is keenly felt, for instance, shows an increasing demand for building plots.

People wishing to build a bespoke home are encouraged sign up to the self build registers by visiting the Right to Build Portal. To look up available plots, as well as renovation and conversion opportunities, PlotSearch offers a free subscription service with the latest information.

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