Hello everyone,
I have the opportunity to acquire a small plot of land for a semi-detached house in Telgte (North Rhine-Westphalia – near Münster). It concerns plot 1468 with 237 sqm (2,550 sq ft) in a residential area 2.1 according to the attached development plan (link is below). From the land registry, I already found out that the plot measures 9.5 by 25 meters (31 by 82 feet). The garden faces directly onto a newly planned playground. The development of the new residential area will be completed by the end of 2025, and building would be possible from early 2026.
Before I commit, I have some questions and would like to hear your experience and opinions.
1. There is an obligation to build a semi-detached house together with plot 1469 (same size). According to the development plan, the houses must be “uniform in height, roof shapes, roof slopes and eaves, as well as roofing material.” I don’t know the neighbor yet. Does this mean the houses must be identical, or could I, for example, extend my half of the house further into the garden if the neighbor wants to build smaller? Regarding width and height (e.g., a set-back upper floor), I understand that differences are not allowed. (Floor-to-floor heights are specified.)
2. Is the plot size generally suitable for building? The width of only 9.5 meters (31 feet) seems very narrow to me. This means the house can be at most 6.5 meters (21 feet) wide to just barely maintain the required distance to the neighbor. A garage would probably no longer fit. The goal is to build a semi-detached house of around 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) suitable for small families (2 children).
3. Are there any other disadvantages of the plot (besides the small size) that you can see from the development plan? I generally like the location in the area. Thanks to the playground and the meadow behind the garden, there is at least a partial view of green space. ;D
I consider the price and other conditions to be fair and they should not play a major role in the evaluation here. Unfortunately, I only have one week to make a final decision. Otherwise, the next people on the waiting list will receive the offer.
If you need any more information from me, please feel free to ask. Otherwise, I look forward to your assessment.
I have the opportunity to acquire a small plot of land for a semi-detached house in Telgte (North Rhine-Westphalia – near Münster). It concerns plot 1468 with 237 sqm (2,550 sq ft) in a residential area 2.1 according to the attached development plan (link is below). From the land registry, I already found out that the plot measures 9.5 by 25 meters (31 by 82 feet). The garden faces directly onto a newly planned playground. The development of the new residential area will be completed by the end of 2025, and building would be possible from early 2026.
Before I commit, I have some questions and would like to hear your experience and opinions.
1. There is an obligation to build a semi-detached house together with plot 1469 (same size). According to the development plan, the houses must be “uniform in height, roof shapes, roof slopes and eaves, as well as roofing material.” I don’t know the neighbor yet. Does this mean the houses must be identical, or could I, for example, extend my half of the house further into the garden if the neighbor wants to build smaller? Regarding width and height (e.g., a set-back upper floor), I understand that differences are not allowed. (Floor-to-floor heights are specified.)
2. Is the plot size generally suitable for building? The width of only 9.5 meters (31 feet) seems very narrow to me. This means the house can be at most 6.5 meters (21 feet) wide to just barely maintain the required distance to the neighbor. A garage would probably no longer fit. The goal is to build a semi-detached house of around 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) suitable for small families (2 children).
3. Are there any other disadvantages of the plot (besides the small size) that you can see from the development plan? I generally like the location in the area. Thanks to the playground and the meadow behind the garden, there is at least a partial view of green space. ;D
I consider the price and other conditions to be fair and they should not play a major role in the evaluation here. Unfortunately, I only have one week to make a final decision. Otherwise, the next people on the waiting list will receive the offer.
If you need any more information from me, please feel free to ask. Otherwise, I look forward to your assessment.
H
Horst Peter24 Sep 2025 14:39In the Geoportal NRW, the lot division can be seen quite clearly:
The plot measures only 9.5 m (31 feet) by 25 m (82 feet). Do you think this is a reasonable size for a semi-detached house?
The plot measures only 9.5 m (31 feet) by 25 m (82 feet). Do you think this is a reasonable size for a semi-detached house?
Our plots were also subdivided because the city kept changing the plans for the new development area over the course of more than five years.
Regarding the size:
Our immediate neighbors have roughly the same plot dimensions and built a semi-detached house. On the ground floor, there is a living room, kitchen, guest toilet, and a half-turn U-shaped staircase leading upstairs. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and the main bathroom. The total living area is just under 105 sqm (1,130 sq ft). It’s not huge, but I have to say it’s really well-designed. Definitely a viable option. We initially considered that as well, but I need a separate office room for working from home. In the end, we chose the detached house next door.
For 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft), you will definitely need at least three floors given the plot size. Considering setback requirements and such, there’s no way around it.
Edit: So yes, it’s very feasible if you don’t need an office or anything similar. Upstairs would have the bedroom plus two kids’ rooms. The living area would be downstairs.
Regarding the size:
Our immediate neighbors have roughly the same plot dimensions and built a semi-detached house. On the ground floor, there is a living room, kitchen, guest toilet, and a half-turn U-shaped staircase leading upstairs. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and the main bathroom. The total living area is just under 105 sqm (1,130 sq ft). It’s not huge, but I have to say it’s really well-designed. Definitely a viable option. We initially considered that as well, but I need a separate office room for working from home. In the end, we chose the detached house next door.
For 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft), you will definitely need at least three floors given the plot size. Considering setback requirements and such, there’s no way around it.
Edit: So yes, it’s very feasible if you don’t need an office or anything similar. Upstairs would have the bedroom plus two kids’ rooms. The living area would be downstairs.
N
nordanney24 Sep 2025 15:14Horst Peter schrieb:
Have you ever seen anything like this? Actually, no. Considering all the framework conditions (including cold local heating), I find the plot really unattractive...
nordanney schrieb:
incl. cold district heatingI wasn’t familiar with that term before. According to the images on Google, it’s basically just a ground source heat pump with split, centralized ground collectors. Sounds like a good option and cheaper than an air-to-water heat pump at first glance.H
Horst Peter24 Sep 2025 16:06I have already done quite a bit of research regarding thermal energy supply. The offer from the local utility company is actually pretty good. Certainly not my dream, but also not a real disadvantage.
My only real concern is the size of the plot. I am imagining a house of around 150 square meters (1,615 square feet) spread over two full floors plus a recessed top floor. I was thinking that something around 6 by 12 meters (20 by 39 feet) should be possible. The garage will probably be tight, but maybe I can still fit a carport. The plan is roughly:
Ground floor: utility room, guest toilet, and open living-dining area
1st floor: 2 children's bedrooms, 1 children's bathroom, 1 study room
2nd floor (recessed): bedroom, bathroom, storage room
We don’t have any special requirements for the garden or anything else. I would only consider a basement if absolutely necessary.
My only real concern is the size of the plot. I am imagining a house of around 150 square meters (1,615 square feet) spread over two full floors plus a recessed top floor. I was thinking that something around 6 by 12 meters (20 by 39 feet) should be possible. The garage will probably be tight, but maybe I can still fit a carport. The plan is roughly:
Ground floor: utility room, guest toilet, and open living-dining area
1st floor: 2 children's bedrooms, 1 children's bathroom, 1 study room
2nd floor (recessed): bedroom, bathroom, storage room
We don’t have any special requirements for the garden or anything else. I would only consider a basement if absolutely necessary.
It is possible that the property was recently subdivided. In the original sketch that I also uploaded, the boundary between two noise protection zones ran right through the property.
Above is Noise Protection Zone II, below is Noise Protection Zone III, as indicated in the legend.
Above is Noise Protection Zone II, below is Noise Protection Zone III, as indicated in the legend.
Similar topics