Acquiring a site
Opportunities for individual private house building occur across the whole of Argyll & Bute. However, there can be significant competition for suitable available land. This can mean that sites are highly priced.
Estate Agents and Property Solicitors can often give advice on where you are likely to find a site to meet your budget. Sites which are available for sale are often advertised in the same places as houses for sale - local newspapers, the Solicitors’ Property Centre, estate agents, solicitors and possibly in the Council itself.
Local knowledge can be a considerable asset in finding and purchasing suitable sites on which to build.
Some building plots will have outline planning consent for housing, some will be serviced with water, electricity and gas, some will have neither planning consent nor services.
Do not purchase until, at the very least, outline planning consent has been obtained and you are aware of the costs you may incur providing services to the site if they are not already on site.
Conditions imposed on a planning permission may restrict your options (e.g. restrictions on the type or size of housing you can build) or influence your budget (e.g. whether traditional design features are required) and you are therefore advised to inspect the planning permission. This is available from the selling agent or the Area Planning Office.