Building land is land that has been designated for construction under the local zoning plan and is suitable (or has been made suitable) for the erection of buildings or other structures. The difference between ordinary land and building land lies in its planning designation, load-bearing capacity and the availability of services.
Requirements for Building Land
Not every piece of land is suitable for building:
- Planning designation — the land must have a residential, commercial or other building designation
- Load-bearing capacity — the soil type (sand, clay, peat) determines which foundation type is needed
- Serviced — the land must be connected to roads, drainage and utilities
- Soil quality — the ground must not be seriously contaminated
Application
Building land is the starting point of every construction project:
- Plot purchase — individuals buy a building plot to have a house built
- Property development — developers acquire building land for housing or commercial estates
- Self-build — self-builders purchase a plot directly from the local authority or a private seller
- Change of use — agricultural land can be redesignated as building land through the planning process
Soil Types and Foundations
| Soil type | Bearing capacity | Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| **Sand/gravel** | Good | Strip or pad foundation |
| **Clay** | Moderate | Strip foundation, sometimes piles |
| **Peat** | Poor | Pile foundation |
| **Rock** | Excellent | Pad foundation directly on rock |
Related Terms
- Foundation
- Zoning plan
- Site preparation
- Soil type
- Ground investigation
More guides and plans available at fredsdiyplans.com