build or buy

[Poppygal1]

I have land in Oxfordshire and about 110,000 in cash but do not want to get a mortgage. In the present property market would I be able to get a decent house built on my land for that or would I be better off trying to find property to improve?

[buildersmate]

You are making a huge assumption here - that you can build on your land.
Is this land within an existing settlement boundary (as defined by the Planning Authority's local planning guidance). Unlikely I think or you'd have had developers beating at your door by now.
You can probably build a very reasonable, small, detached house for this.
You need to check the planning status of your land first - I suspect that it is in open countryside.

[Poppygal1]

It's not in open countryside but just outside the village. It is next to a main road and there are some other single houses on the road. I'm not sure about the 'settlement' boundary, but it is not prime agricultural land. Actually I'm surprised I haven't had developers beating at my door!

[buildersmate]

Because it is outside the village envelope. Small villages don't have a settlement boundary drawn around them - the whole village is regarded as outside policy when it comes to new residential development. Larger villages and towns have a settlement boundary. Inside, the principle of new dwellings is acceptable (subject to fitting other policies); outside is regarded as open countryside.
I will guarantee that with Oxfordshire councils your land is not available for development without an incredibly good reason that justifies going against policy. S Oxfordshire are the worst - head south towards Reading and you will see a clear 'line' of where Reading Borough Council finishes and S Oxfordshire starts. The Planning Committee appear to guard this line with their lives.
You're better off finding another property to improve.