Where Is The Cheapest Land In The UK?

The United Kingdom is home to around 70 million people. It’s not the biggest country in the world; not by a long shot but those 70 million inhabitants actually don’t take up as much space as you’d think. In fact, according to research from a few years back, it’s estimated that only 6% of the UK is actually built on. 

That means that there’s a huge amount of free land. Of course, not all of it is available to be purchased or built on but a lot of it is. 

Many people are looking to purchase land, whether this be for building a new home or business, for recreational use or other reasons. But in some cases, you’re looking at hundreds of thousands for a big plot in a sought-after location. 

But don’t let that concept shoot down your dreams of buying your very own UK plot of land because there are bargains to be found, if you know where to look. In fact, as long as you’re willing to compromise on location then you could get a decent sized piece of land for a LOT less than you’d initially imagined. 

Where Is The Cheapest Place To Buy Land In The UK?

There are remote places all over the UK where land prices are significantly lower than other areas. However, generally speaking, if you want the best deals on available land then you’ll want to be looking to the North East of England. Here land prices are currently the most affordable is Durham. 

In Scotland, Inverness has some of the best deals. In fact, this area is known to be one of the cheapest in the UK. The average price for a plot of land here currently stands at a little over £91,000. 

This information is based on buying plots of woodland that are suitable in size for self building a family property. There are, of course, much cheaper options if you are looking for something a lot smaller. In fact, there are examples of land measuring half an acre that are going for as little as £10,000 and there are quite a few of these dotted around the market. 

That said, these pieces of land may not always be the best quality. What’s more, if you are looking to purchase residential land, it’s extremely unlikely that you’d get such a good deal as this is the most expensive type to buy.  But we will cover what to look for in the next section of this guide. Can you build a cabin in the wood?

Things To Be Mindful Of

A lot of people are lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to buying cheap land. They think that it’s an affordable investment that’ll make them a handsome profit but they are sorely disappointed when they realise the reality. 

If you buy a piece of raw or undeveloped land, especially without planning permission then you’ve got that plot on your hands for a considerable amount of time. Nobody is going to pay you any more than you purchased it for without you turning the land around. 

This means either ploughing more money into it or holding onto the plot until there is an increase in the market that means you may be able to make a profit without doing anything. In any case, you won’t be getting your profit any time soon.

Agricultural land is so much cheaper than development land but you have to be really careful when looking at ads for this. A lot of people will advertise their grazing land to give the impression that planning permission will be given upon application. Because of this, they’re able to sell the land for a higher value but it’s not always the case that you’ll get planning permission and then you’re left with a plot of land that you can’t do anything with.

Even more concerning is the fact that there are lots of land bank companies that own massive pieces of land which they divide up and advertise as building plots. Only, there’s no real chance of building on them because the likelihood of getting planning permission is slim to none. So, if you do come across a piece of land like this, it’s best to speak to the local planning department who will be able to give you the best advice on whether you’ll actually be able to build on the land. You’re looking for cheap plots and even if the price is good, it’s not that much of a bargain if you’ve paid all that money for nothing.  there is also a way to claim land for free in the uk, if you know how to do it.

Is The Land Right For Your Needs?

Yes, you could purchase a piece of land that appears to be the best bargain you’ve ever laid eyes on. But is that plot suitable for your needs? This involves checking out several things before even considering making an offer on a plot. 

Primarily, your goal is to visit the land. You’re never going to get a feel for how you’ll use it if you don’t see it in the flesh. Relying on photographs, videos and the owner’s word just isn’t enough and can be very deceiving. 

When you arrive at the site, take the time to assess the quality of the land to ensure it is solid ground that is suitable for your plans. Moreover, check whether there is current planning permission attached to the land. If not, why not? Has planning previously been rejected and why? Is it possible to make amendments and reapply or will this land forever be unusable in terms of building?

If it will be possible to build on the plot then you need to look at other factors including how accessible the nearest water source is, whether there is good road access and even what the quality of the surrounding properties is like. 

There may be other issues that aren’t immediately obvious when looking at photos of the land or even visiting it without a thorough inspection. Make sure to check for things like drainage and soil reports as well as topography reports. 

You should also check as to whether the land had any covenants attached. This means that any previous owners are entitled to a cut of the profit should you sell the land after its value has risen. This is only the case if the rise in value is linked to planning permission but this does mean that you might not get as good a deal as you had initially hoped.

Finding The Right Location

There are people that have spent years looking for the right plot of land. This is mainly because it’s not easy to come across individual building plots. Even when you do, it’s not as simple as you’d think to secure your chosen plot and things can often become quite complicated. 

However, plenty of people successfully buy cheap land in the UK and it’s really a matter of being prepared and doing your research. With this, you’ll find that the process is much easier than it otherwise would have been. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is to decide on a location. As we have discussed, in England, the North East has some of the cheapest land in the UK while Inverness is ideal for those on a budget in Scotland. Choosing a particular area will allow you to more intently focus your search rather than trawling through hundreds or even thousands of ads around the country.

Before you settle on an area, pay a visit to a few potential locations. Not only will this give you an idea of what the area is like but you might even stumble upon a plot of land that isn’t advertised anywhere else. These are often some of the best deals. 

When you’re in the area, don’t be afraid to get chatting to the locals. They may be able to advise you of any plots on the market that aren’t common knowledge. What’s more, some people might even have a plot of land that they’re suddenly willing to part with if offered the right price. Being friendly and talking on a personal level may even result in them offering you a better price, especially if the land is disused and they’re happy to make a pretty penny.

Resources For Finding Cheap Land In The UK

There are lots of websites out there claiming to showcase the cheapest plots of land in the UK. However, not all of them are reliable. If you want to find the best deals and get land that is what it says it is then you’ll need to head to one of the more reputable websites. 

It is possible to find cheap land in the UK but it does require a lot of work and sometimes a spot of good luck comes in handy. 

We would massively recommend avoiding the open market as you’ll generally get a better deal when you buy privately. There are auctions for plots of land and while there is a chance of getting a bargain, the competition could outbid you which is often the case. 

Take the time to seek out private sales where the seller is super keen to make a quick sale. In these cases, they’ll be much more likely to offer a lower price. Of course, you still need to do your homework to make sure that everything is above board. 

Conclusion

Buying a plot of land gives you the chance to build a home, office or any other type of building (planning permission permitted) that’s totally unique to you. However, securing an affordable plot isn’t always as easy as it seems. 

While you may see plenty of advertisements for cheap land in the UK, these plots may not come with planning permission, or ever be granted it. What’s more, there may be issues with things like drainage, road access and other things that make the land a lot less desirable than it first seems. 

If you want to get your hands on the best plots of land for the most competitive price then you need to be willing to do your research and take your time. The cheapest land in the UK is typically found in the North East of England but there are bargains to be had all over the country as long as you know where to look. 

Source: https://campfiremag.co.uk/where-is-the-cheapest-land-in-the-uk/