Sell an Infill Plot in Scottish Borders
An infill plot in Scottish Borders is a gap in an otherwise built-up street or frontage, such as land between two houses, a side garden at the end of a terrace, or a cleared site in a row. Because it fills a gap rather than extending a settlement, it often has policy support, but design and neighbour impact are scrutinised closely.
Scottish BordersFree site appraisal
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- 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 and sites near Scottish Borders
Across Scottish Borders, we cover Galashiels and 3 other towns, among them Peebles, Kelso and Hawick. Neighbouring areas we also cover include Edinburgh & the Lothians, Fife and Forth Valley.
In and around Scottish Borders, the land we appraise ranges from land that already has planning permission to paddocks on the edge of Galashiels, including redundant agricultural buildings. In Scotland, where Scottish Borders sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).
If you own land near Scottish Borders, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Our approach in Scottish Borders
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.
Services and connections
Connecting water, sewers and power to a single plot can be costly where mains are not close by. We check where services run before estimating what the plot could support.
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 Scottish Borders
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 Scottish Borders 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.
| National planning policy | National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
| 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) |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Sell an Infill Plot in Scottish Borders: questions
Do my neighbours have a say if I sell an infill plot?
You do not need their permission to sell, but they will be notified when a planning application is made and can comment on it. Early, courteous contact often helps, especially if party walls, shared drives or boundary features such as hedges and fences are involved.
Is it easier to get planning permission for infill?
Often, because infill makes use of land within a settlement. But councils still refuse infill that harms the character of the street, neighbours' amenity or highway safety. In some rural areas, infill policies are tightly defined, so it pays to check the exact policy wording for your area.
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.
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.
Is Scottish Borders an area you cover for land?
Yes, we cover land across Scottish Borders, including Galashiels, Kelso and Peebles. Where a site suits us we can buy it directly, or set up an option or promotion agreement. On promotion there is nothing to pay upfront.
Read more: Sell an Infill Plot · Guide: Selling part of your garden: what you need to know