Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Castlereagh
Land to Homes brings forward serviced plots as well as finished homes, and Castlereagh is one of the areas where self-builders can register interest. On larger sites, a share of plots can be set aside for self-build and custom build, each with access, services and a plot passport setting out what can be built. Landowners with land suited to plots can also talk to us.
Castlereagh · BT5Free 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
Sites we take on near Castlereagh
About 11 miles south-west of Bangor (County Down), Castlereagh is part of our County Down coverage, centred on postcode district BT5. Belfast is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 2 miles, followed by Newtownabbey and Lisburn.
Projects we can take on around Castlereagh include sites where the layout needs to change, schemes that need redesigning to work and in-principle consents that still need detailed approval. Because Castlereagh is in Northern Ireland, land titles are registered with Land & Property Services (Land Registry and Registry of Deeds) and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
If you have a site near Castlereagh that is stuck, a short call is the best place to start.
What we offer in Castlereagh
Part of larger schemes
On bigger developments, serviced plots can sit alongside homes for sale, rent and affordable tenures, sharing the same roads and services.
Self-build or custom build
Build the home yourself with your own builder and architect, or choose a more complete custom build package where one is offered on the site.
Landowners welcome
If your land could suit self-build plots, our free site appraisal explains the options, including a direct purchase, an option or a promotion agreement.
Design rules up front
Where a site has a design code or plot passport, we set out the rules before you commit, so you know what the planning permission allows.
The Northern Irish system, as it applies in Castlereagh
Countryside planning policy in Northern Ireland is generally restrictive, so land inside or next to the settlement development limits around Castlereagh is usually the strongest prospect for new homes. Outline planning permission can establish the principle, with reserved matters approved later. A promotion agreement lets us fund that planning work, with our costs recovered from the sale proceeds only if the land sells with planning. Your reasonable legal fees are covered too, agreed in the heads of terms.
In Northern Ireland, there is no statutory self-build register like England's. Plots are assessed under the Strategic Planning Policy Statement and the council's development plan, and countryside policy limits new single homes outside settlements to specific cases. Building control approval comes from the council, and Stamp Duty Land Tax may be payable on the plot purchase.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP), made up of a Plan Strategy and a Local Policies Plan |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The 11 district councils, with the Department for Infrastructure deciding regionally significant applications |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Developer contributions | Section 76 planning agreements under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (there is no Community Infrastructure Levy) |
Questions about Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Castlereagh
Do you have self-build plots for sale now?
Not yet. Land to Homes is a new venture and has no plots, homes or developments for sale at the moment. You can register interest with your preferred area and the kind of plot you want, and we will contact you if we bring forward plots that match. Registering is free and commits you to nothing.
What is the difference between self-build and custom build?
With self-build, you organise the design and construction of your home yourself, either doing some of the work or hiring a builder. With custom build, a developer provides more of the package, such as a serviced plot, a range of designs and sometimes the construction itself, while you make the key choices. The line between the two is not always sharp.
What is a serviced plot?
A serviced plot is a piece of land ready for a single home, with access to a road and connections for services such as water, drainage and electricity at or near the boundary. In England, the Right to Build legislation defines a serviced plot by reference to access to a public highway and those utility connections, or the ability to provide them.
Is there a self-build register in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
In Scotland, planning authorities keep self-build lists of people interested in building their own home, which inform local planning. Wales and Northern Ireland do not have a statutory register like England's, although some councils may still record interest, and self-build plots are assessed through normal planning policy. Check with your local council.
Can you manage a site in Castlereagh from planning to build?
On land we take forward ourselves in Castlereagh and elsewhere in County Down, including Newtownards, Banbridge and Newry, we manage planning, design and construction. Tell us about the site and we will explain how we would approach it.
Read more: Serviced Plots for Self-Build · Guide: How is development land valued?