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A plot of land hidden in a thicket of firs near the millionaire’s playground of Sandbanks has gone on the market for £1.5million – without anything built on it.
The empty clearing in the cluster of trees at the end of a cul-de-sac overlooking Poole Harbour, Dorset, can only be seen from the air.
But one opportunistic property developer bought the 0.8 acre site and has secured planning permission to build an ‘ultra modern’ four bedroom house there.
Whoever buys the plot will still need to build the luxury property, but once completed it would be worth up to £3m.
The plot of land lies a stones throw away from Poole Harbour on the edge of Sandbanks, one of the most expensive post codes in the country
It is hidden in a copse of fir trees next to three newly-built ultra modern homes at the end of a cul-de-sac in Canford Cliffs
The land is only visible from the air at the moment, with the cleared area and surrounding trees on the market for £1.5million
There is no property on the land at the moment, but it comes with planning permission to build a four bedroom home that could see the value of the plot rise to £3million
Local property experts say the sale is another example of how Sandbanks developers target the most unlikely of sites to squeeze modern and expensive homes on.
The plot, that is hemmed in by trees, was originally the tennis court for a large 1980s mansion that has long been demolished.
Three luxury homes have already been built on the 3.5 acre site and now a fourth will be added.
The sylvan location is situated on a no-through road off the sought-after Brudenell Avenue.
It backs onto the exclusive Parkstone Golf Course which counts former Premier League managers Harry Redknapp and Graeme Souness as members as well as ladies’ champion Georgia Hall.
The property, which is approved for a square footage of 2,817, has been designed by David James Architects.
The plans show it would have an open plan living space with a dining area and kitchen, as well as a separate living room, a study and two bedrooms, both with en suites, on the ground floor.
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Upstairs there would be a large master bedroom with dressing room, bathroom and its own balcony as well as another bedroom with dressing room and en suite.
Sean Gibson, from estate agents Savills, said: ‘This plot was a former tennis court. The design is in keeping with the other three in this gated development.
‘It offers the perfect opportunity for a family or couple from out of the area who want a holiday home close to the beach to build their dream home.
‘What we have noticed in the last three years since the pandemic is that everyone re-evaluated what was important to them and their lifestyles.
‘Coastal locations and lovely walks were top of the list for a lot of people so plots like Brudenell Avenue are really sought-after.
‘It’s really secluded and so close to the water, but because it is not directly on the water it offers tremendous privacy as well, so you’re away from the hustle and bustle in this completely tranquil and sylvan setting.
The plot was a former tennis court for a mansion that was demolished in the 1980s, and there are already three other properties on the 3.5-acre site
It backs onto the exclusive Parkstone Golf Course and is situated on a no-through road off the sought-after Brudenell Avenue
Estate agents Savills say it would be suited to a ‘family or couple from out of the area who want a holiday home close to the beach to build their dream home’
‘There are fewer and fewer opportunities like this for developers. If they do come up, even in the economic climate we are in at the moment, there is still a large appetite for redevelopment schemes.’
Sandbanks has become a millionaire’s playground in the last two decades, with luxury harbour-front homes selling for as much as £12m and attracting celebrities and wealthy business people.
Bertie Bowman, a retired local chartered surveyor, said Sandbanks has changed massively since he has lived in the area.
He said: ‘I’ve known Sandbanks since 1957, back then you could buy a house for a few thousand. The prices started rising when the footballers moved in.
‘In the 1970s most of the properties were under £75,000 but by the ’80s it had taken off and the prices went up to about a million.
‘Now I think they’re about £4m on average. Developers build what people want so there was obviously demand. Most houses used to have big plots with large gardens, now there’s only a few of them left.’
