cheshire Archives - Page 5 of 8

Shortage of land: Part 3. Finding a plot of land

As a result of unprecedented demand, there’s less land available for sale on the open market, which is becoming frustrating. In the third part of our series on the current UK land shortage, we are looking at how to go about finding a plot for sale.

A recurring topic of conversation across the construction industry at the moment is the shortage of land available to developers to build new homes. Talk to any developer or designer and it won’t take long before they voice their opinion on how little is available and the changes that need to be made to free up some more plots of land. We’ve talked about protected land and land banking, both of which are barriers to wider development. As a result of unprecedented demand, there’s less land available for sale on the open market, which is becoming frustrating. In the third part of our series on the current UK land shortage, we are looking at how to go about finding a plot for sale.

How to find a plot of land for sale

There are a variety of ways to find land for sale, from in person searches, to browsing through websites. If you have a defined geographical area that you would like to buy land, then it is worth concentrating on that area via a variety of media. Looking around rural areas and keeping an eye out for plots for sale is a possible way of finding a suitable plot – it’s often the case that you can just stumble across the ideal plot when you least expect it.

Which websites advertise land for sale?

Local property listings are still a sure-fire method of finding land for sale and many estate agents have a specific area that is devoted to land sales. The land may be available at a set price, or it may be up for auction or other bidding method. There are land registry sites that will show who owns which plots and how many are for sale. There are also a variety of online resources, such as www.rightmove.co.uk, www.plotfinder.net, www.plotbrowser.com, www.onthemarket.com/farms-land, www.ukauctionlist.com/land-auction, www.perfectplot.co.uk. You could also try marketplace sites such as www.gumtree.co m, www.ebay.co.uk, www.trovit.co.uk or www.geo.craigslist.org.

There’s advice too on land purchase and development on the UK government’s website.

Plots come in all shapes and sizes. They can be a small single plot for a single dwelling, to a large-scale site that will accommodate several houses. Plots can include redundant buildings, or former commercial sites or barns. One of the most important aspects of searching for land is having the imagination and vision to see the potential of a blank slate. It isn’t always easy to envision what the finished article might look like in its setting, but you need to be openminded and welcome suggestions when you are inspecting prospective plots.

Finding true value in a plot of land

The value of the land will depend very much on a variety of factors, which includes supply and demand. You don’t want to be paying over the odds for a plot. It will be influenced most significantly by its location. Similar plots of land in vastly different locations will be reflected in the market value of the land, which will differ hugely from area to area.

Some land may have a property in poor condition or even in need of demolition standing on it, and the land can be worth more than the building itself. A key factor is if the land already has planning permission in place. This considerably raise the land’s prospects of gaining a top price. Other factors are accessibility, appeal and aspect. Is the land close to amenities, or transport links, for example, and do these matter to you? Is your best offer a true reflection of what the land is worth to you? Of course, in the current climate – with demand high – land is scarce and prices are at the upper end of the spectrum.

We are there for you on your self-build journey or to buy your land

As well as being developers, we are land brokers. We are always searching for suitable land to purchase. We can sell your plot, with or without approved planning permission. We can also offer advice on a variety of land-related matters. These include the suitability of plots for building on, the establishment of boundaries, or what to do if you have a landlocked plot – that is a plot that is difficult to access and may need a route establishing to it. We can also carry out planning enquiries for you on your land. Our experienced planning professionals work closely with Local Authorities, to complete all planning enquiries.

However you go about searching for your plot, it’s worth bearing in mind that expert advice and knowing the market will ensure you buy something that is both suitable and a sound financial investment. Get in touch with us today.

Shortage of land Part 2: Why is land for self-build so hard to find?

There’s an ongoing land shortage in the UK, which is making developers like us spend an inordinate amount of time searching for suitable building plots. There are many reasons this is happening. But in protecting our countryside and heritage, are we stifling development and the construction sector?

How to find land for self-build

There’s an ongoing land shortage in the UK, which is making developers like us spend an inordinate amount of time searching for suitable building plots. There are many reasons this is happening. But in protecting our countryside and heritage, are we stifling development and the construction sector? In the second part of our series on the shortage of land, we look at the reasons behind why land is so hard to find and the elements, legislation and restrictions that need to change to free up the market one again.

Driving the market for land development

One of the key factors is the simple fact that a great many of the prime plots of land have already been developed over the years. There was a boom that began in the 1960s and ran through to the 1980s that saw many people buy land or old property in villages and small towns, and develop them. The first housing price boom in the 1980s slowed the market – and the ability of landowners and developers to make a profit on such developments slowed. But over time, even with the huge rises in land and property prices since the 1990s, developers have continued to prosper, as demand drives the market.

Saturation point for rural market?

Conservation and heritage remain important watchwords and rural development is still closely scrutinised by local authorities. This in itself in the past has been blamed for a lack of development potential in rural areas. The unlocking of these restrictions are seen as major factors in land shortages. However, property and land costs now are such – especially in a garden county like Cheshire – that many developers and owners are priced out of the market. It is no longer affordable for many to think about country living and many spots in villages have already been upgraded, and derelict property demolished, to make way for new-builds. We could be reaching a saturation point in this regard.

Land for building is a valuable commodity

There’s also the challenge of a glut landowners sitting on land that could be developed, but are not freeing it up for building. Land, like houses, is of course a valuable commodity and so-called Land Banking is a fact of the market. What is needed is an incentive, or levy, to ensure land that is owned is developed within a certain timescale. We are finding all these are factors in making it hard for our clients’ self-build dream to be realised.

Sea change and adapt land for building

In the last few years, changes to legislation such as Neighbourhood Plans is altering the shape of the English countryside too. Boundaries have moved, village parameters are greater, and developers are being allowed to build, build and build in villages and small towns as they never have before. This unprecedented sea change is a direct response to the need for more houses. Demand is high for these properties, which are quickly filled. What also needs to be addressed is ensuring infrastructure – often the last thought in government legislation – keeps pace with development. This means adequate and well-maintained roads and services, local amenities, things to do, places to go.

Housebuilders rely on a healthy flow of plots to be developed to thrive. If this is stifled, by a perfect storm of a number of factors, then the construction market will eventually stall. At the moment, approved planning permissions are down since 2019 and momentum is being lost. There’s less homes being build and this is partly due to the lack of available land – we hope this will soon be acknowledged as a problem, to be addressed by the present government.

If you have always dreamed of finding some land for building and building your own home, talk to us to find out how we can help with our complete turn key self-build package.

Shortage of land: 1. What do you need from a self-build plot?

In the current economic climate, there is a much publicised and widely acknowledged shortage of housing stock in the UK. But equally, there is also a chronic shortfall in the amount of acreage available to developers on which to build new homes too. Part of the reason for this is that much open land in the UK is protected or has certain restrictions on it, when it comes to its development. But it also comes down to the fact that there’s less of it available for sale on the open market currently too.

Locally sourced

When you are looking for a plot of land, there are a few basics you’ll have at the top of your list. These include things like sufficient land area. The plot needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate your self-build project. You should also make a provisional checklist of what you’d like from your ideal home and look at plots with these preliminary thoughts (and your budget) in mind.

You’ll have to decide on where you’d like to live, but your choices will also be defined by what is actually available, particularly with the current shortage of land. You will need to think about geographic location and its proximity to amenities, but also about the quality of life you’d like to lead. Do you want to live in an urban or suburban location, with all the conveniences in services and amenities that offers, or would you prefer a quieter, more low-key location in the countryside?

There are pros and cons to both options, and it is very much a matter of taste as to which you opt for. The convenience of public transport, or access to highly-rated schools is deemed imperative to some people, but not to others, who may have easy access to their own transport, or not have children. There may also be the option of developing a site that already has a building on it. All this is very much dependent on budget and availability however, and it’s worth looking at a variety of factors that will influence your decision.

Building a picture of your new home

As soon as you begin looking, either online or actually out in the ‘field’ of the local district you’d like to live in, you’ll start to build a picture of land availability and options. A factor such as good access to the site should also be in your thoughts as you search. Your new-build shouldn’t impact highway safety, for example, and there should be adequate visibility from the entrance/exit. If you have to apply to create an access to the plot, ensure it’s not going to affect other residents or put a burden on the infrastructure and parking.

You also need to be well aware of the different types of ground conditions you can encounter when you are looking to construct a new-build. Even with the current shortage of land, there may be a good reason why no one has tried to develop that prime piece of real estate you have your eye on! Does the site have access to services such as electricity and gas? Some remote or rural areas still rely on their own supply of gas, for example, or have an oil tank for heating. And telecommunications and internet access these days are very important for many people, between working from home and streaming entertainment.

Finding the X-factor despite shortage of land

A factor that may not be readily apparent without looking at documentation or a survey is if the site is prone to flooding. You also need to look at the available sewer connections and if they are going to impact the local area too. An option might be an on-site treatment system of your own, such as a septic tank. If you are hampering drainage, by putting hard-standing over the site, will there be adequate surface water drainage in place to accommodate the run-off in the event of heavy rainfall? You may be able to use surface water collection in your development to provide a recycled water source that can be put to use too. One person’s pro is another’s con, however, and it’s all about finding the right combination of positive elements that will give your plot and project the x-factor. And then finding all these in one place!

There’s a lot to think about when first finding a potential development plot and you may have to make some big decisions quickly. A clear approach is needed and if you tick off most – if not all – of your checklist, then you’ll be doing well. It’s a good starting block for your vision, as it begins to take shape and don’t let the shortage of land put you off realising your dream.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, talk to us to find out how we can help with our complete turnkey self-build package.

A day in the life of CB Homes’ Sales Manager

Helen Galesi has been Sales Manager at CB Homes for the last nine years. She has worked on numerous small and exclusive CB Homes developments all over Cheshire. She is currently based at Acorn Gardens in Northwich, where the last of the two remaining houses of the 13 houses built there by CB Homes have recently been sold.

Helen Galesi has been Sales Manager at CB Homes for the last nine years. She has worked on numerous small and exclusive CB Homes developments all over Cheshire. She is currently based at Acorn Gardens in Northwich, where the last of the two remaining houses of the 13 houses built there by CB Homes have recently been sold.

What did you do before working at CB Homes?

I’ve always been in sales either office-based or a favourite of mine was when I worked in a jewellers, based in Northwich.

What do you like about your job as sales manager?

I absolutely love my job! I look on it as going on a journey with our customers from the moment they reserve a home to the day we hand over the keys to their new home. I’ve made some good friends along the way. I even got invited to the wedding of one couple who I had helped buy a CB Homes house! I especially enjoy working with first-time buyers as they are so excited to be moving into their first property as homeowners and I think their excitement is catching!

What does a typical day in your life look like?

I’m usually based in the marketing suite of whichever development we are marketing at the time. I start the day checking any emails or phone messages that may have come in overnight and if we have a show home available, I check that everything is set out as it should be and it is ready for any visitors.

I have meetings every week with my manager where we discuss sale progressions and he keeps me updated with what is happening on site, which enables me to keep customers informed and up to date with the build programme.

Prospective buyers may call on the phone, email or turn up in person wanting to know more about the houses we have available. I make sure I get a good understanding of what they are looking for and see if I can match them up with the perfect property.

Very often, people want to know what comes with the house as standard. I explain what the basic specification includes and then how they can upgrade some choices if they want to, such as white goods, flooring, carpets and wardrobes and also our ‘Finishing Touches’ where they can choose things like kitchen worktops and cupboard colours to really personalise their home. All our developments are different from each other and each house style is different too so there are lots of choices to be made. I really like helping out with that where I can, especially where we are selling off-plan as the house hasn’t been built.

Once a customer has paid a reservation fee, I am then their point of contact throughout the whole buying and building process, so we get to know each other quite well. I’m always available to answer any questions, find out any information they need, keep them updated with progress and arrange site visits when possible. I always follow up with an email but I like to be available to talk face to face or on the phone as I really like making connections with people in-person where I can.

Prior to completion, usually a week before, I arrange to meet up with my buyers, to go through the homeowner’s manual with them– the homeowners manual is like an encyclopaedia of their house, with every possible bit of information they could ever need – details of things like how to operate the alarm or the heating system, what type of bricks we have used and who supplies them.

On completion day when we hand over their new home, we ask our customers to walk around the house to make sure they are happy with everything or flag up any tiny, last-minute snags that need fixing. I make a note of anything like that that needs doing and then leave them to enjoy making themselves at home in their new house.

What’s your biggest challenge as Sales Manager?

I think it’s selling houses off-plan where there isn’t a house ready to show them yet. It’s really important that I can help the customer envision what the house will look like by showing them floorplans, drawings, artists impressions and samples. It all helps them build up a picture of the completed house so they can imagine themselves living there.

Why do people like buying houses from CB Homes?

All of CB Homes houses feel just a little bit different, with very individual characters and features so that draws people in. I think it’s a question of the beautiful design and the high quality of the build. The houses are simply stunning and people are always so impressed with them. On several occasions I have had visitors who have come and looked around a show home and when they’re leaving will admit that they are actually a builder and that they have been extremely impressed by the quality of the house they’ve just looked round. That makes me feel very proud. My own son is in the process of buying a CB Homes house so that’s how confident I am of their quality!

To find out more about CB Homes houses and their latest developments, visit www.cbhomes.co.uk. You can contact the sales manager via sales@cbhomes.co.uk.

Assessing Ground conditions for self-build project

Are groundworks suitable for construction?

When you are looking at developing a building plot, there are many aspects to the ground that you may not be able to see from simply looking at the lie of the land. You can’t see if any services or utilities, such as electrical cables or drainage, pass under the ground surface. You can’t tell if the land is likely to flooding – unless it is currently covered in water – and you can’t easily assess whether the ground conditions are suitable for self-build. Most of these points will need further investigation, either by a specialist land surveyor or by officials who will examine land deeds and the geological history of the site.

Mitigating against flooding

Flood risk is a combination of two factors – the probability and the potential consequences of flooding from all sources. This can include rivers, the sea, directly from rainfall on the ground surface and rising groundwater, flooded sewers and blocked drainage systems, or from overflowing reservoirs, canals or lakes.

Self-building on solid ground

When it comes to flood plains, flood risk and other water-related land problems (such as coastal erosion), the UK government has legislation in place. The National Planning Policy Framework sets strict tests to protect people, property and developers from flooding. All local planning authorities are expected to follow this. Where the tests for suitability are not met, the policy is clear that new development should not be permitted. The main steps are designed to make sure that if there are better sites in terms of flood risk, or a proposed development cannot be guaranteed to be made safe, it should not be permitted.

Land stability is a crucial aspect of any development – some would say the singular most important factor! The government also has clear advice to ensure that ground conditions are suitable for development and how to avoid risks caused by unstable land or subsidence. Land instability can cause an array of problems, including landslides, settlement and ground heave. Failing to deal with instability from the outset can have serious consequences, with the considerable chance of financial and actual damage to human health, local property and its associated infrastructure, and the wider environment, especially if compensation claims are involved.

Planning authorities have an important role to play in considering land stability. They do this by minimising the risk and effects of land stability on property, infrastructure and the public, by helping to ensure that developments don’t occur in unstable locations, or without appropriate precautions. Local planning authorities work with other organisations when it comes to land stability – these include obvious ones such as Building Regulations, but also more specialised ones, such as the Coal Authority (due to public safety risks caused by past coal mining activities), depending on the circumstances.

Prepare to investigate ground conditions

A preliminary assessment of ground instability should be carried out at the earliest possible stage, before any detailed planning application is prepared. If required, information about land stability can be found in geological information held by the planning authority’s own information (including building control records, which may contain previous surveys and records of previous events), local libraries and archives, and information about land usage contained in the National Land Use database, the British Geological Survey (including the national dataset on landslides and mapping and borehole records) and coal mining records held by the Coal Authority,

Where needed, a land stability risk assessment report will present all information obtained from investigations prior to the commencement of any development. All areas of the UK are different. Some soils can be dominated by clay or sand, and especially in Cheshire there is a lot of sandstone rising to the surface. This can be very useful for stability, but a hindrance when it comes to excavation and drainage. The type of land you are developing may have an impact on the type, size and shape, and design of your proposed project, so finding out exactly what lies beneath the surface is an important part of the preparation process.

Interested in building your own home? Talk to us about our complete self-build package.

Growing problems – the pitfalls of on-site trees and TPOs

Just because a tree is sited on a plot of land under your ownership, it doesn’t necessarily give you carte blanche to do as you like with the tree, including trimming it or removing it from the site altogether.

Whenever we see a new site, we always take note of the position of any trees in the vicinity. Trees can form a great backdrop to a property – and used well they can become part of the exterior landscaping – but they can also cause a variety of problems. Just because a tree is sited on a plot of land under your ownership, it doesn’t necessarily give you ‘carte blanche’ to do as you like with the tree, including trimming it or removing it from the site altogether.

Trees: protected species?

Trees in UK conservation areas are especially protected, but many trees have a variety of protection ‘rights’ when it comes to their existence. Chief among these is a tree preservation order, or TPO. These have been part of the Town and Country Planning Act in the United Kingdom since their introduction in 1947. Scotland has its own rules, but current tree preservation orders in England and Wales are made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012.

The importance of registered documentation for trees

A TPO is decided by the local council’s planning authority to protect specific trees, for specific reasons in a designated area – be it in a garden, a roadside verge, part of woodland, or other rural feature. This is done to protect them from damage, if those trees are deemed to be an important amenity to the area, including older trees that are thought to be of historical or cultural significance. TPOs make it illegal to fell, lop, top, uproot or otherwise interfere or damage trees, without the express permission of the local planning authority – although different TPOs have different levels of protection with some permissions. Any details about TPOs on a land purchase will show up on the registered documents and should be checked as to what level of protection the trees have.

If a tree with an order on it is damaged, a local authority can bring a successful prosecution if it can show sufficient evidence. This includes evidence that the tree was protected by an order at the relevant time, or was sited in a conservation area. It will also have to establish culpability, beyond reasonable doubt. As a defence, in general it’s no excuse for the perpetrator to claim ignorance of the existence of an order. However for any prosecution to take place, the local authority should be clear that a valid order exists and that the tree in question was protected by it.

Exceptions to the rule for trees

There are a number of exemptions too. These include the felling or trimming of dead or dangerous trees to make them safe. The onus or responsibility here is on the person who authorises the work to prove that the tree was dead or dangerous. This can of course cause debate if the tree is felled and removed, as no proof remains of its current condition. Normally its state is decided by a report by a qualified operative before the work is carried out. There has been a great deal of storm damage across Cheshire and the North West in the last few months and it has become commonplace to see council highway staff felling, making safe and disposing of storm-damaged trees, some of which have fallen across roads and through services, such as telecommunication wires.

Other TPO exemptions include any work approved by the Forestry Commission under a felling licence or other approved scheme, or where there is an obligation under an Act of Parliament – e.g. to safely maintain a public highway for public use. Work can also be carried out at the request of certain agencies or organisations, which are specified in the order. There may also be an exemption to allow work to fruit trees which are cultivated in the course of a business for fruit production – providing the tree work is in the interests of that business. This means that all fruit trees are not automatically exempt, unless they are being actively used for a commercial enterprise business based on fruit production.

Permitted developments

Importantly from our perspective, tree works can be carried out where there is a direct need to work on the tree to allow a development for which detailed planning permission has already been obtained. This means that if, as a developer, you can present a convincing case for the trees to be removed, then you can address this before any development takes place.

If trees are protected to the extent that their removal is not permitted, then an imaginative designer can incorporate onsite trees into the overall landscaping finish. There is an appeals process too, where you can apply to a local authority to carry out work on a tree with a TPO, so there are many options available as a landowner and/or developer. Trees on site must be kept in mind at the design stage and also if their position will hinder or impede access or construction of the proposed project.

If you dream of building your own home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help you.

Maintaining boundaries on land or property

Every piece of land has a boundary of some description, which may or may not be the property owner’s responsibility. Some of these physical boundaries are manmade, while others are natural.

What is maintenance of boundaries?

Every piece of land has a boundary of some description, which may or may not be the property owner’s responsibility. Some of these physical boundaries are manmade, while others are natural. They may even be invisible, appearing only in documentation and land registry files, but it’s important to identify their exact location and ascertain who is responsible for any maintenance of boundaries and upkeep.

Defining land boundary lines

Boundaries can include a multitude of structures or natural growths – these can include walls, fences, hedges, tree lines, ditches, roads, paths or watercourses. There are two ways that the word boundary can be applied – a legal boundary or a physical boundary. A legal boundary is an invisible line that divides one person’s property from another. This is most apparent on shared spaces, such as driveways and grassy areas. It is not shown on mapping, such as conveyancing documents, deeds or Ordnance Survey maps, and can only be determined in a court of law, or by the Land Registration division of the Property Chamber. This will only be needed if there is a dispute over where the exact position of this line falls.

A physical boundary is a visible element, such as a timber fence, brick wall or privet hedge, which usually follows the line of the ‘legal boundary’ – in effect it’s a physical depiction of the imaginary line. However, the legal boundary can run within the physical boundary structure (fence, wall, etc), or run along one or other side of it. This then defines who is responsible for the maintenance of the wall/trimming of the greenery/repair of the fence. Due to the difficulty in definitively establishing the position of a legal boundary, the vast majority of registered title deeds show only a ’general boundary’.

Defining land boundaries responsibility

‘Living’ boundary structures, such as trees and hedges, will grow and if left unattended will effectively widen the boundary and make its exact position hard to define. This can become a bone of contention among neighbours, when trees or hedges are left to grow unhindered. They can take a neighbouring property’s natural light in their garden, or overhand their property, causing damage to the roof.

There’s an oft-held general presumption that a construction (fence posts, a wall) indicates ownership – that the posts and panels of a fence are on the owner’s side. But in actuality, there’s no legally binding legislation on this issue. In terraced housing, there’s also a presumption that the property owner is responsible for the boundary to the right of the garden, with the ‘best’ face of the wall or fence facing towards the neighbour. This is generally regarded as the accepted etiquette when it comes to neighbouring boundaries.

Structural garden, drive and side boundaries that cannot be defined are known as party boundaries. Any alterations or replacement of this type of boundary can only be done with the agreement of both co-owners. Aerial plans show where boundary lines fall and don’t take into consideration projections and overhangs, such as eaves, guttering and foundations. In these cases, the property ownership includes these projections, but not the air space between them, which is shared. When you really get down to the detail of home ownership, land deeds also include the airspace vertically above your plot and the subsoil below it, as defined by the accepted boundaries.

Public facing boundaries

Roadside boundaries, particularly if they are retaining walls, can be problematic if not maintained sufficiently. When it comes to the strip of grass, gravel or copse that borders a property onto a road or kerbside, it’s often the case that the local authority will take responsibility for maintaining it.

Anything that infringes on a public thoroughfare or a right of way that is your responsibility can be problematic if it falls into disrepair or is damaged. It may become costly too, as public thoroughfares may have to be closed to carry out the maintenance. Sometimes your local council may take responsibility and trim your overhanging foliage boundaries back – for example if your hedge or trees are overhanding a pavement, or are obstructing a bus stop or other public access. But it’s often technically the owner’s responsibility, even if the local council may trim them at their own discretion.

Planning on buying a plot of land or building your own house? If you have any queries about where your land boundaries lie and the extent to which they are your responsibility, it’s best to talk to an expert in land and legal affairs, such as a conveyancing solicitor or surveyor. They will be able to advise you and help to define the extent of your land ownership.

Living off the grid – isolated idyll or connection nightmare?

When you’re looking to live and work in the countryside, there are many factors you need to take into account. If you’ve enjoyed country living before, you may be used to the seclusion, the silence, the often narrow access roads and the fact that you might not be able to get a phone signal. But if you are only familiar with city or suburban living, then it might be something of a shock to realise that you are not on the ‘national grid’ in terms of services. When does the joy and peace of isolation become a connectivity nightmare?

Normal service will be resumed

Availability of services of all kinds in rural areas are traditionally unpredictable. From the bus service that only runs three times a day to the nearest town or city, to the post office and garage that are no longer open, the range and choice of public services available to rural dwellers have shrunk dramatically over the last decade. But people love living in the countryside. Rural communities are welcoming and enjoyable places to spend your time. It’s just advisable to be aware of some differences between city and country life. It’s worth checking beforehand if where you are planning to live will have all the services you require – if you want to work from home, for example, then make sure that you have a secure internet connection; if you plan on commuting, ensure the road network is decent, or check your access to a railway station.

Lines of communication

The communication aspect is very important these days, as so many parts of modern life rely on having a strong and reliable broadband service and phone signal. If your job is home based, you’ll be using the internet on a daily basis, not just for email, but also for presentations and meetings. One of the banes of ‘working from home’ during the pandemic has been staff discovering how poor their connectivity is where they live. They have had to upgrade forthwith to ensure they can cope with the internet traffic speeds required to carry out their roles. In terms of home life, many leisure activities, from watching streamed TV to gaming, are entirely reliant on the telecommunications network. So it’s obvious that the availability of services and their dependability are an essential aspect of rural living and family life that will need to be addressed.

Essentials for living off the grid

Connectivity is particularly important if your project is a self-build. The need for the supply of services onsite – the essential power utilities of water, gas, electricity and oil – and also any available telecommunications will need to be easy to connect to, or to be brought in if required. Many rural areas are still not on the national gas network, for example. Their remote nature will mean if gas is required, it will have to be stored on-site in gas bottles. The same is true of oil-fired central heating and the external storage tanks that will need filling periodically – though these types of fuel are being phased out if possible and are certainly not being used much in contemporary designs. Of course, cleaner, greener energy sources are increasingly attractive and you can speak to us to find out more about building a more sustainable home.

It’s also not unusual for a rural location that’s off the grid not to be on the sewers. This means the property will require a septic tank or other provision made for effluent and surface water disposal. These aren’t massive inconveniences, but they will need to be addressed and installed.

These are all things that need to be considered if you are thinking of buying a house in the country, or building one from scratch as a self-build project. They are not necessarily dealbreakers on whether you decide to live in a particular location or not. Very few challenges are insurmountable. The countryside remains a wonderful place to live and work. It is certainly an ideal location for many people across our beautiful county of Cheshire.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, contact us to find out how we can help you.

Design your house for home working: what do you need?

If you are planning to design a new house of your own, as a self-build project, it is worth considering if working from home is going to play a significant part in your future. If it is, then you can design in various features to your house to accommodate this new way of working.

When so many of us suddenly had to work from home at the start of the pandemic, some people really embraced the new way of life and have continued to work from home, at least some of the time. There is no doubt that a big cultural shift has taken place, with many people altering their work-life balance to include working from home, at least part of the time. If you are planning to design a new house of your own, as a self-build project, it is worth considering if working from home is going to play a significant part in your future. If it is, then you can design in various features to your house to accommodate this new way of working.

Location is always key

First of all, think about location. You might be seeking a rural idyll for your self-build project that’s a long way off the beaten track. But how practical will this be if you want to work from home and perhaps entertain colleagues or work clients at in-person meetings? Or even if you are usually based at home to work, you may still need to pop into your office occasionally. Choosing a location that’s easier to reach may be a better option for you.

A dedicated space for home working

When you are planning the design of your self-build with an architect, you should consider the location of your workspace. If you can, it is well worth the luxury of devoting an entire room to your working from home space. As many people who worked from home during lockdown will testify, trying to concentrate on work and work effectively without a dedicated space is extremely challenging. Having a proper study will help avoid any YouTube-worthy moments with toddlers or pets trying to join your conference calls!

With Zoom and Teams calls playing an important part in working from home, consult your architect as they will be able to make recommendations for optimising the space for good acoustics, as this will make a big difference to the quality of these online meetings.

On a purely practical note, you may want your workspace to be located near the kitchen so it’s the work of moments to fix yourself a drink or a snack.

You may also want to consider the aspect of your workspace. Think about the view from the window and how much natural light it will enjoy – a great view and plenty of light is good for both mental and physical health.

Whichever option you choose for your heating system, you need to ensure that you can keep your workspace at optimum temperature. Again, take expert advice on this at an early stage of your self-build project.

Getting connected for home working

When working from home, connectivity is key. These days, a good broadband connection is essential. Make sure you check out what suppliers are available in the area you are considering and what speeds are available. You will need to make sure your budget will cover getting connected.

Power points galore

Modern homes are usually well-served for power sockets but the advantage of self-building is that you can not only choose how many sockets you have in each room, but the exact location of each one to perfectly suit your needs. Many of our clients have said one of their favourite parts of their self-build project has been their ‘walk through’ with their project manager, deciding exactly where all the fixtures and fittings will go.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help you.

Rights and boundaries to a plot of land: Know your limits

If we are looking at buying a plot of land or we want to sell our land at any point, we need land borders to be clearly defined. It’s often when a land sale takes place that changes to boundaries come to light – but by then it may be too late to do anything about it.

How to identify boundaries of a plot of land

Registered land ownership

Land registers are where a plot’s extent is recorded, but the real world is seldom like line drawings, plans and maps. HM Land Registry will tell you exactly who owns a piece of land, but the exact perimeter may still be up for discussion or heated debate. Fences are erected, walls are built and hedges and trees grow. Over time, the borders between properties can become blurred and the exact point where one starts and another ends can be difficult to see.

In England and Wales, often there’s no record of the exact boundary between neighbouring properties, or who owns a division such as a hedge, party wall, fence or tree (party walls are walls which you share with your neighbours in a terrace or semi-detached, but they can continue outwards to become boundary walls). Boundaries are set by the deeds of the property. You can contact the Land Registry to get the exact boundary determined, but if your neighbour disagrees with you on where it is, this can be an expensive and time-consuming process.

Pushing the boundaries

Usually, a change of land ownership will have to be done with a sale of the land. But there are instances when land ownership can change subtly, like when someone moves a fence when a new set of panels are fitted and pinches a few inches of land. If this is done blatantly, it can amount to a foot or a metre. And if you don’t complain – or even notice it, there may be plants for example obscuring it – for a period of time, they could then legally claim to be the owners and occupiers of the land. That’s when things get complicated, as you have to prove that the strip of land now on their side of the border used to be yours. A dispute of this kind can prove costly and often take years to resolve, which is no help if you are looking to sell your land in the interim.

Adverse possession

This type of land ownership is called ‘adverse possession’, where land is stealthily appropriated for longer than 10 years by someone other than its owner. It happens more often in rural areas, where boundaries are less clearly defined, and often happens when gardens border onto fields, hedgerows, heath or moorland, or parcels of woodland. The area at the bottom of the garden can become adopted as the landowner’s own – garden waste and grass cuttings might be dumped there, for example, which enables the perimeter to creep into the farmland. You sometimes see this type of encroachment on canals too, where narrow boats with more established moorings begin to set down roots on the riverbank, with the pitching of tables and chairs, etc. Eventually the encroachment becomes permanent and part of the landowner’s property.

Rights of way

Another challenge to land ownership can be with shared spaces and ones that grant rights of access. A shared garden or courtyard is everyone’s to use and so cannot be sold as part of a single property. Any owner would have to understand that outdoor space was a shared commodity. This includes shared driveways too.

Often a piece of land has a granted access to the public. People have a right to access land for walking, or certain other leisure activities. The public always have access to public roads and pavements (this includes narrow lanes and unnamed roads, if they are not private) or public rights of way, for example footpaths or bridleways. People can exercise their ‘right to roam’ on open access land, including mountains, moors, heaths, downs, common land and some land around the Coast Path too.

You can also access private land if the land used to be a public right of way in the past (you can check this on old maps and documents), the land has been accessed by the public for at least 20 years and nobody has asked them to stop, or the landowner has granted ‘permissive access’. Any access points will need to be clearly defined, so that access doesn’t become trespass. This will all need to be stated clearly however when the land is sold into new ownership and a professional land buyer will know what to do and where both buyers and sellers stand.

Any of these disputed or contentious aspects regarding land and boundaries can cause problems when it comes to selling a piece of land or a property with land around it. It’s always a good idea to appoint someone who knows the ins and outs of land sales and ownership. If you think the land you have has issues with its boundary or access, CB Homes can help with this. We are always on the lookout for suitable land to purchase – whether a small single plot, a large site or a redundant building with land around it. If you’d like guidance and advice on a land sale, then contact us today.

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