ᐅ Plot Selection in a New Residential Development for a Single-Family Home – Prioritization
Created on: 15 Apr 2025 21:22
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-Malte-
Hello everyone,
After a long wait, our city (North Rhine-Westphalia) has finally started marketing a new residential development area on the outskirts. As part of the application process, plots for single-family homes and semi-detached houses are allocated according to a certain distribution logic. We expect to have the opportunity to purchase and will then need to choose quickly from the remaining available plots. The exact timing of when it will be our turn is unclear, so as a preparation, we would like to establish our personal ranking of all the plots.
What are our requirements?
As a family of four (38, 35, 5, 2), we want to build a single-family house (~150-160m² (1600-1720 sq ft) preferably without a basement, with a pitched roof) including a carport/garage. Basically, no special requirements that would directly affect the choice of the plot.
Regarding the plot, we primarily want a location for a single-family home that is as quiet as possible within the development area (noise/through traffic) (priority 1 requirement). Of course, orientation and overall size are also important, but come after the first factor.
What does the development plan specify?
Here are what I consider the most important details from the development plan, which apply equally to all offered plots:
Since linking is not allowed here: the full development plan can be quickly found online by searching “Bocholt Bebauungsplan 8-23 Loikumer Weg”.
Which plots are for sale?
There are 21 plots for single-family homes and 7 plots for semi-detached houses on sale. The price is uniform at €220/m² (€220 per sq m) including development costs. The plots are currently farmland and completely flat. I have attached an aerial photo, an excerpt from the development plan, and a non-binding building concept (only the numbered plots are available for sale).
For more information, the full brochure can also be found online by searching “Bocholt Wohnbaugrundstücke Mussum - Loikumer Weg”.
The development area will be a mixed-use zone: alongside single-family and semi-detached homes, there will be a daycare center, apartment buildings, and a playground. To the west of the development is a federal road, so the western section will be built as continuous development (noise protection facing the road; exact design still unknown). There are three larger apartment buildings to the north. Given the apartment buildings in the north and west, I expect increased through traffic and activity within the development — it will not be a purely quiet single-family home neighborhood. Therefore, when selecting plots, our main focus will be on achieving as much quietness as possible.
Questions for you?
We have been considering which plots have which advantages and even have a few favorites. I’m deliberately not naming them yet to get as unbiased feedback as possible. What would be your favorites, and what aspects would you focus on to best meet our requirements?
Best regards,
Malte
After a long wait, our city (North Rhine-Westphalia) has finally started marketing a new residential development area on the outskirts. As part of the application process, plots for single-family homes and semi-detached houses are allocated according to a certain distribution logic. We expect to have the opportunity to purchase and will then need to choose quickly from the remaining available plots. The exact timing of when it will be our turn is unclear, so as a preparation, we would like to establish our personal ranking of all the plots.
What are our requirements?
As a family of four (38, 35, 5, 2), we want to build a single-family house (~150-160m² (1600-1720 sq ft) preferably without a basement, with a pitched roof) including a carport/garage. Basically, no special requirements that would directly affect the choice of the plot.
Regarding the plot, we primarily want a location for a single-family home that is as quiet as possible within the development area (noise/through traffic) (priority 1 requirement). Of course, orientation and overall size are also important, but come after the first factor.
What does the development plan specify?
Here are what I consider the most important details from the development plan, which apply equally to all offered plots:
- 2 full stories with floor area ratio of 0.4 and total floor space ratio of 0.8
- Base height max. 0.5m (1.5 ft), eaves height max. 6.5m (21 ft), ridge height max. 11.0m (36 ft)
- Roof type:
- If two full stories:
- Flat roof or shed roof with pitch between 22° and 30°.
- Alternatively, stepped stories with flat roof or low-pitched roof up to 16°.
- If one full story: no specification regarding roof type or pitch
- Dormers, roof extensions, and loggias are not allowed
- Garages, carports & outbuildings only within the building zone or adjacent to the side boundary. A 5m (16 ft) clearance must be maintained before garage driveways (excluding carports). Exceeding the garden-side building line is permitted up to a depth of 2m (6.5 ft).
Since linking is not allowed here: the full development plan can be quickly found online by searching “Bocholt Bebauungsplan 8-23 Loikumer Weg”.
Which plots are for sale?
There are 21 plots for single-family homes and 7 plots for semi-detached houses on sale. The price is uniform at €220/m² (€220 per sq m) including development costs. The plots are currently farmland and completely flat. I have attached an aerial photo, an excerpt from the development plan, and a non-binding building concept (only the numbered plots are available for sale).
For more information, the full brochure can also be found online by searching “Bocholt Wohnbaugrundstücke Mussum - Loikumer Weg”.
The development area will be a mixed-use zone: alongside single-family and semi-detached homes, there will be a daycare center, apartment buildings, and a playground. To the west of the development is a federal road, so the western section will be built as continuous development (noise protection facing the road; exact design still unknown). There are three larger apartment buildings to the north. Given the apartment buildings in the north and west, I expect increased through traffic and activity within the development — it will not be a purely quiet single-family home neighborhood. Therefore, when selecting plots, our main focus will be on achieving as much quietness as possible.
Questions for you?
We have been considering which plots have which advantages and even have a few favorites. I’m deliberately not naming them yet to get as unbiased feedback as possible. What would be your favorites, and what aspects would you focus on to best meet our requirements?
Best regards,
Malte
H
hanghaus202321 May 2025 11:16I will quote.
The maximum permitted eave height for a building with a pitched roof and the similarly considered parapet height for a building with a flat roof (FD) refers to the height at the intersection of the roof covering with the outer edge of the rising masonry of the respective building section or the top edge of the parapet in the case of a flat-roofed building.
A height exceeding the maximum permitted eave height may be allowed if it results from a building footprint that is structured by projections or recesses
Its length is limited to a maximum of one-third of the eave length of the respective building side, measured between the exterior walls of the respective building.
A pitched roof appears to be permitted, although it is not explicitly mentioned below. Presumably, corresponding diagrams are provided.
The underlined part indicates that it is allowed to interrupt the eave. This makes cross gables possible under the corresponding conditions.
The maximum permitted eave height for a building with a pitched roof and the similarly considered parapet height for a building with a flat roof (FD) refers to the height at the intersection of the roof covering with the outer edge of the rising masonry of the respective building section or the top edge of the parapet in the case of a flat-roofed building.
A height exceeding the maximum permitted eave height may be allowed if it results from a building footprint that is structured by projections or recesses
Its length is limited to a maximum of one-third of the eave length of the respective building side, measured between the exterior walls of the respective building.
A pitched roof appears to be permitted, although it is not explicitly mentioned below. Presumably, corresponding diagrams are provided.
The underlined part indicates that it is allowed to interrupt the eave. This makes cross gables possible under the corresponding conditions.
It’s finally becoming more concrete: We have now received information that we will soon be able to choose a plot of land and should start considering our options. There are still applicants ahead of us, but it shouldn’t be many.
In the meantime, the plots we would have favored (basically everything located on the quiet Backesstraße) are reserved and will not be available for selection (green = available; mustard-colored = reserved). From the remaining ones, we currently favor plot 93, followed by 103 and 102. We see 95 further down the list (there will be a daycare center parking lot opposite), and 108, 107, and 106 are less preferred due to their close proximity to the large apartment buildings on plot 119.
We are most concerned about plot 123. The location is ideal, at the southern end of the development area, with a good orientation. However, the biggest drawback is its size of only 372m² (15m width, 25m length) (4000 sq ft (49 ft width, 82 ft length)). Due to the width, a rather narrow house would have to be positioned lengthwise, and I suspect that, considering the floor space index of 0.4, it would only work properly if a basement is included, yet it would still feel quite tight. In our current development area, for comparison, there are several plots around 440m² (4700 sq ft), which is acceptable; anything smaller than that feels quite cramped. In addition, the large trees to the south of the plot would block sunlight from the garden for much of the day – not ideal either. At this point, we think plot 123 will only be an option if none of the other favorites are left.
In the meantime, the plots we would have favored (basically everything located on the quiet Backesstraße) are reserved and will not be available for selection (green = available; mustard-colored = reserved). From the remaining ones, we currently favor plot 93, followed by 103 and 102. We see 95 further down the list (there will be a daycare center parking lot opposite), and 108, 107, and 106 are less preferred due to their close proximity to the large apartment buildings on plot 119.
We are most concerned about plot 123. The location is ideal, at the southern end of the development area, with a good orientation. However, the biggest drawback is its size of only 372m² (15m width, 25m length) (4000 sq ft (49 ft width, 82 ft length)). Due to the width, a rather narrow house would have to be positioned lengthwise, and I suspect that, considering the floor space index of 0.4, it would only work properly if a basement is included, yet it would still feel quite tight. In our current development area, for comparison, there are several plots around 440m² (4700 sq ft), which is acceptable; anything smaller than that feels quite cramped. In addition, the large trees to the south of the plot would block sunlight from the garden for much of the day – not ideal either. At this point, we think plot 123 will only be an option if none of the other favorites are left.
I would choose 107, 108, and 118. Well-designed houses, located in the north with the main entrance on the north side and a gable roof running east to west. This allows for an efficient floor plan. For the garden, you could then plan a southwest or southeast orientation.
However, I have to admit that I haven’t fully followed the discussion. Is there a slope? What about plot 120? Is it an open meadow or a residential unit? Is the building area already established? If so, I would definitely visit in person to see the place and consider what might influence your comfort there.
However, I have to admit that I haven’t fully followed the discussion. Is there a slope? What about plot 120? Is it an open meadow or a residential unit? Is the building area already established? If so, I would definitely visit in person to see the place and consider what might influence your comfort there.
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