Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Eltham
A serviced plot in Eltham is a parcel of land with planning permission or a clear route to it, a road access and connections for water, drainage and electricity at the boundary, ready for someone to build their own home. Land to Homes looks for land that suits serviced plots, takes it through planning and services it, so self-builders can focus on the house.
Eltham · SE9Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
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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
Sites we take on near Eltham
We cover Eltham as part of Greater London. It is about 9 miles south-east of London, around postcode district SE9. Nearby, we also cover Blackheath, Welling and Catford, all within 3 miles. Within England, Eltham falls in the London region.
Projects we can take on around Eltham include plots where access or drainage is the sticking point, schemes that need redesigning to work and in-principle consents that still need detailed approval. Because Eltham is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Send us the site address near Eltham and we will tell you what we think the planning route is.
What you get in Eltham
Services at the boundary
Plots are planned with road access and connections for water, drainage and electricity, so you are not left negotiating with utility companies on your own.
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.
Right to Build explained
In England, councils keep self-build and custom housebuilding registers. We explain how the registers work in general terms, but they are run by councils, not by us.
Planning made clear
We aim to bring plots forward with planning permission in place, or with a clear set of rules, often called a plot passport, describing what can be built.
Planning in Eltham: the English rules
Selling development land in Eltham usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
In England, councils keep self-build and custom housebuilding registers under the Right to Build legislation and have a duty to grant enough suitable permissions for serviced plots to meet demand. Self-build homes can usually claim an exemption from the Community Infrastructure Levy where it is charged, and plots are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Eltham: questions
What is the Right to Build register?
In England, councils must keep a register of people and groups who want a serviced plot to build their own home, and have a duty to grant enough suitable planning permissions to meet the demand it shows. Many councils let you join free, though some charge a fee or apply local connection tests. The duty applies in England only.
Do self-builders pay the Community Infrastructure Levy?
In England and Wales, where a council charges the Community Infrastructure Levy, self-builders can usually claim an exemption, but it must be applied for correctly and before work starts, and the conditions followed afterwards. Mistakes can mean the full charge becomes payable. Scotland and Northern Ireland do not have the levy. Take advice before starting work.
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.
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.
Can you manage a site in Eltham from planning to build?
On land we take forward ourselves in Eltham and elsewhere in Greater London, including Becontree, Edmonton and Brixton, we manage planning, design and construction. Tell us about the site and we will explain how we would approach it.
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