Are you building on a sloping site, or interested in doing so?
Not all sites are created equal. Finding a plot of land in your preferred area, with easy connection to services and for right price can be tricky. Sometimes the right plot might resemble something Eddie the Eagle might take on! But fear not, help is at hand – here’s our quick guide to building on a sloping site.
- You can use a technique called ‘Cut & Fill‘ to create a level platform on your site on which to build. This is the approach we are taking with a planning application currently under consideration in North Devon. Essentially, this involves digging into the bank and then using the removed spoil to level out the lower edge of the footprint. Depending on your design, this can be one of the more cost-effective methods as you re-use all of the spoil and don’t have to have any removed from site.
- If you can’t cut & fill, or don’t want to, another option is to support the dwelling either by using stilts or creating a basement with retaining walls. This leaves the ground intact and can add usable space to the home, but will require the input of a structural engineer. Adequate waterproofing also needs to be factored into the design.
- Drainage may be more complicated on a sloping site. You may have to pump sewage uphill, or slow down the flow downhill to mains sewers. Surface water management may also need detailed design to ensure that your site doesn’t flood, or that problems aren’t created further downstream.
- Access to the site may be more tricky. Our example features parking at street level with steps up to the dwelling, but this may not be suitable for everyone. Equally, a long driveway up to the dwelling will need to be at a gradient suitable for vehicular access.
- One huge positive is that sloping sites often benefit from the best views! Sitting halfway up a hill can mean you are rewarded with unobstructed views into the distance. In fact, this is one of the biggest attractions of a steeply sloping site. So when you fall in love with that view, bear the other points above in mind!
If you have a sloping site, or are looking into buying one, we can customise any of our plans to suit – just Contact Us for more information.
