I live in a five-bedroom house with 1.5 acres. There is a chance that we can buy up to 10 more acres from a local farmer. Is this a good investment? ML-R, Dorset.

There are many things that determine whether or not this is a good idea, and sadly there is no equation that will tell you simply that house + land = uplift. The assumption is that the farmer will have investigated whether or not he’ll get planning to build another house on the land before he decided to sell to you, so the principal benefit to you depends on your needs or whether what you’ll gain will make your house appeal to many more potential buyers when you come to sell. 1.5 acres is not much for a 5 bed country house so to buy more must ostensibly make sense. It gives space for children to play but more importantly gives space for ponies, shelters etc.. Bear in mind that you will require permission if you want to build a proper stable, but not for a simple shelter and you need to contact your local authority to ask about keeping animals other than a horse on the larger plot. An Englishman’s home is his castle so having more land around you may buy you privacy which is very valuable both in terms of having a buffer against the outside world and financially. Ultimately you could let the land out for grazing but that would hardly be worth the investment. As already mentioned the real value is in widening the appeal of the house and the hugely increased acreage will offer families wishing to buy a proper country feel and their children will be able to ride, both horses and motorbike/quads, and the family will have land to possibly build outbuildings, put in a swimming pool, tennis court etc (all subject to planning obviously). If any of these things are the only reason you’d buy the land and there are no privacy gains then check very carefully with the local authority what is theoretically possible, and also involve a local agent to ask their opinion as to whether the investment will be recouped.