Always hunting but no luck

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, seeking advice about land.

I have a severe unknown disability consequently, making me electric wheelchair bound unable to walk. I have a fiancée and currently living on the south coast of England in an apartment.

Due to myself being CEV as a result of coronavirus, my life has changed, I have to self-isolate as much as possible as catching the virus would be detrimental to my health. Living or somewhat stuck inside an apartment for three years, makes you want to breath and have a change of scenery.

We’ve been looking for a house for over a year, visited countless properties and unfortunately none are suitable. In the long run, it would cost too much money to redesign the property for my access needs: I.e, change the layout, downstairs bedroom and wheelchair accessible bathroom etc.. this list goes on!

We have now come to the conclusion that buying a piece of land for a self-build, would be a better option.

However, we are having trouble finding a piece of suitable land in the Hampshire, Suffolk, Whiltshire (border with Hampshire area).

Our main route of hunting for land, is mainly through popular property websites and this has hardly given any results. Estate agents, we are registered with, do not really deal with selling land and so far everything feels like it has come to a standstill. Some land we have looked at is very cheap but will never have planning permission granted (agricultural ties or protected).

My question really comes down to this: what is the best way to find a piece of land? Are we missing something?

I.e should I contact local farmers, or community groups?

Are there any popular land agents that I have missed?

Word-of-mouth?

Also is it better to look at land with no planning permission and start from scratch or search for land with planning permission?

We are really running out of ideas, and even contemplating about buying a derelict house to knock down and rebuild.

Any help, advice or suggestions will be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

George
 

MrSearching

Member
Trade
Thanks for your help so far. This has come up with some good results. Just wondering is it a farmers discretion to sell land for housing development, or is it ultimately still the choice of the local council?
 

honeyend

Member
I would look at villages that have amenities with older properties with large garden. I live in Cambridgeshire and there are still older small bungalows that can be bought at a reasonable cost, which you remodel, the advantages are there is usually existing services which could cost tens of thousands to put in.
I suggest you buy Build it magazine for a year and get a true idea of the task of a new build, they do have a plot list but really at least once a week you have to do an internet search, there is no easy way. You buy the worst looking property in the best place, you can always change the property, but you can not change where it is.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 117 38.4%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 117 38.4%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 42 13.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 6 2.0%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 5 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 18 5.9%

Expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for farmers published

  • 227
  • 1
Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer from July will give the sector a clear path forward and boost farm business resilience.

From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Rt Hon Sir Mark Spencer MP Published21 May 2024

s300_Farmland_with_farmFarmland_with_farmhouse_and_grazing_cattle_in_the_UK_Farm_scene__diversification__grazing__rural__beef_GettyImages-165174232.jpg

Full details of the expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer available to farmers from July have been published by the...
Top