Some of the properties I have found
A plot with a derelict cottage. Owner moved away probably after planning applications to rebuild were refused in the 70’s. But has died. Large property in England has been sold and there is a will online, but no activity at all with this piece of land. There has been a static caravan on the site for decades, although now in poor condition.
Plot of land. Has the remains of a prefab on it, mostly intact. This is useful as it is shown on the local planning map. Clear title to the property, but listed as a company owner, and the company was liquidated about 10 years ago. Technically the property should now have become bona vacantia and therefore crown property, but the title hasn’t changed, and there has been no activity for years. In that case, you may have to wait 30 years to make the claim. I haven’t tested that one out yet.
Derelict cottage on a large plot right next to a main road. Historical maps show the road originally wound through land that the cottage would have owned. I believe the council acquired the property, straightened the road, then simply abandoned it as having no further value to them. Bear in mind that local councils became district councils, became county councils, so for properties like these, any documentation was probably thrown out in a filing cabinet 20 years ago when they built the new offices.
************************************
Here are some examples of properties I have found
I am providing these as examples of what can be found, and to show the type of situation you are looking for. None of these are of any interest to me personally, but they may be available if someone were to approach the actual owners.
1.
51.826812, -3.979001
This is a good example of where land use has changed, and can be clearly seen on GE since 2006
This is a good example of where different maps appear to show a completely different property, despite the fact they are apparently only one year apart, and the google is apparently the most current. The Bing map is much clearer, and shows a lot more activity.
However, this is a property that has been inactive for a number of years. Somebody finding the owner, making an offer, and buying it 10 years ago may have got an absolute bargain.
******************************
2.
52.534405, -3.473949
Twll Y Graig, Pontdolgoch, Caersws (SY17 5NJ)
Good example of a smallholding that was active, has become overgrown and then neglected over time.
This one has recently changed hands so probably a deceased estate. However, still a possible opportunity as the new owner is considering their options, an offer on the property could be quite compelling.
************************************
3.
52.049843, -4.159630
Smallholding that looks like it has fallen out of use.
It has changed significantly, but upon investigation, this location is still lived in, although there is not a lot of traffic to the site as can clearly be seen by the track becoming overgrown.
This property has changed quite dramatically over the last 12 years, but is however still active and lived in. The track looks like a vehicle hasn’t used it for a decade.
*****************************************
4.
52.127738, -4.154663
House near Cribyn owned by the brother of an adjacent farmer.
Squat, never, offer to buy, definitely.
********************************
5.
52.109815, -4.177122
Block of land, owned and in use. Example of how blocks of land are often separate from holdings
***********************
6.
51.894956183592086, -3.788324637181634
There is an intact barn here, but old maps show a very square building, the shell of which can be just seen as an outline
********************************
7.
51.900400, -3.768880
Shows a large property that appears to be becoming increasingly out of use. Very active in 2005
On LR as Blaensawdde, Llanddeusant, Llangadog (SA19 9UW)
No price
The surrounding land is listed separately no price
Look at the tracks near the actual property itself, and the way the garden appears to have fallen out of use.
The only way to clarify what is happening here is to actually visit.
**********************************************
8.
52.981774, -3.089774
Another perfect example of a place that almost disappears over time. If I had the resources, I would be looking for the owner and offering to buy. The land looks like it’s falling out of use, but it’s probably in a very valuable location.
***************************************
9.
53.124649, -3.154924
An abandoned place recently being renovated.
£370,000 on 14 August 2020
Look at this on Google earth and see how it looked very abandoned until recently.
**********************
10.
52.295703, -4.027401
A good example of seeing something marked on an OS map, and there still appears to be something substantial there.
The land appears to be with it so probably owned by a local farmer.
**************************
11.
52.291811, -4.017915
What you see marked on the map may not reflect what’s actually there. Just what was mapped years ago
Sold £300,000 on 30 January 2014, probably twice that now.
Would have started out as a tiny cottage so that is a huge amount of added value onto the few grand they would have paid for it years ago.
***************************************
12.
52.306241, -4.093554
Marked on old maps as a tiny school house, abandoned for a long time as seen on Google earth and streetview. Has recently been renovated, extended, and clearly some land has been bought from the neighbour as it was on a tiny plot. This place appears to be a holiday let, but looks spectacular and has been done very well.
I suspect that the property would have been an adverse possession sometime in the past.