Sell an Infill Plot in Kirkwall
Owners of small gap sites in Kirkwall are often told the plot is too small to bother with. It may not be. One well-designed house on the right frontage can be a straightforward planning case. Land to Homes gives a free, no-obligation appraisal and, where the plot suits us, can buy it directly, subject to survey, title and contract.
Kirkwall · KW15Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Land we look at around Kirkwall
Kirkwall (KW15) is one of the Highlands & Islands towns we cover, about 113 miles north-east of Inverness. If your land sits between towns, Thurso, Buckie and Elgin are the closest neighbouring places on our list.
In and around Kirkwall, the land we appraise ranges from brownfield land in and around Kirkwall to large and long rear gardens, including land that already has planning permission. Planning in Kirkwall follows Scotland’s rules: National Planning Framework 4 sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.
If you own land near Kirkwall, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
What you get in Kirkwall
Self-builder or developer
Some infill plots suit individual self-builders, while others suit a developer building several homes. We explain who is likely to want your plot and what that means for the deal.
Party walls and boundaries
Building on or near a shared boundary can trigger party wall procedures in England and Wales. Clear boundaries on the title plan help avoid disputes with neighbours later on.
Neighbours' light and privacy
Window positions, outlook and daylight to neighbouring homes are tested in planning. We look at how a design could protect them, because this often decides whether infill is approved.
We can buy the plot
Where a plot suits us, we can buy it ourselves, with or without planning, with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract. Any offer is set out in writing.
How the rules work in Kirkwall
Planning obligations in Scotland are made under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and can cover affordable housing and infrastructure. Once registered against the title, they can bind future owners. Under NPF4, national and major developments must also leave biodiversity in a demonstrably better state. These costs shape what development land near Kirkwall is worth, which is why our free appraisal explains them before any offer or promotion terms are agreed.
In Scotland, infill sites are assessed against the Local Development Plan and NPF4, including its policies on local living and rural homes. Small sites are often consented through planning permission in principle or a full application. Shared boundaries are dealt with under Scots property law rather than party wall legislation, and a building warrant is required.
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Your questions answered for Kirkwall
How small can a plot be for a new house?
There is no single minimum. It depends on the width of the frontage, the size of neighbouring plots, space standards for the new home, garden and parking requirements, and how the design fits the street. A narrow plot may still work for a terraced design that continues an existing row.
What does a buyer check on a small infill site?
Title and boundaries, rights of way, the planning history of the plot, the location of sewers and water mains, trees, drainage, ground conditions, and whether the street has a pattern a new home can follow. Small issues matter more on small sites because they directly affect what can fit.
Should I sell an infill plot with or without planning?
Selling with permission usually achieves a higher price, but means paying for drawings, surveys and fees yourself and accepting the risk of refusal. Selling without planning is simpler and passes that risk to the buyer. A contract conditional on planning sits between the two and suits many small plots.
What is an infill plot?
An infill plot is a gap within an existing line of buildings, such as a space between two houses or at the end of a terrace, where a new home would continue the street rather than extend into open land. Exact definitions vary between councils, and rural policies often define infill more narrowly.
Do you buy land in Kirkwall?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Kirkwall and elsewhere in Highlands & Islands, including Fort William, Stornoway and Thurso. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Read more: Sell an Infill Plot · Guide: Selling part of your garden: what you need to know