Steep driveway

[pollyglot]

So in love with a block of land to build my dream home on. Trouble is, it's accessed by a very steep drive (requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle, which we plan on buying anyway). It's concreted and with services on already. Anyone with such a driveway - will I regret it? Specially as I'm now 70-ish? Opinions much appreciated, thank you, folks.

How far is the road from the house? Are you able to rebuild the land at the front to create easier access?

My immediate thoughts included -
Is it steep for those on foot also or is there different flatter footpath?
Will post/deliveries have to park at top (or indeed bottom) and you ‘struggle’ up and down to collect things?
Will visitors to you need to park up top?
Is there more general flooding worry if house is lower than surrounding land ?
Is there any way of creating (with pp if need be) a longer flatter vehicle/foot approach ?
Once stayed somewhere with remarkably steep driveway which had also suffered a land slip partly including the drive and using rental car. Will never forget trying to get out in dp medical emergency situation. Much revving and spinning of tyres and nearly over the side into a valley. So forgive my personal feelings here - I’d avoid.

I viewed a house with a very steep driveway (Rightmove photos taken from a very specific angle to hide this fact!). All I could think about was how on earth I'd safely get to and from the car in icy weather - it was a no from us. It dropped in price several times before they found someone to buy it too, if re-sellability is factor for you (possibly not, with a self-build?)

Is the land parcel large enough to redo the drive as a sweeping bend up to a flat park (thereby making the drive longer and less steep)?

This could be hidden within front gardens and paths to access flower beds etc?

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm a bit blinded by how gorgeous the site is, and I think am not really being realistic. There's not a lot we can do to improve access...the site is about 1.5 acres, and is basically a hillside-though with a formed building platform. But oh, the view! And the kiwis calling at night, the bush, the privacy, the serenity...I just love it. I need to be sensible, though..don't I? (You have been very helpful, thank you again)

Some houses were built near me on land like that. The answer they used was ,argue double ground floor (going into the slope) garages with steps to the first floor.

They are lovely with balconies looking out.

Speak to an architect and get ideas

Sounds amazing op and understand your strong desire.
Any way you can create entrance on top floor with walkway to easier car spot ?
No doubt you’ve thought of every option. Does estate agent know if owners or builders had any quotes or earlier planning ideas etc to improve access at all ?

My parents have a very steep driveway (steep enough that back in the day when cars were shittier my mum couldn’t park her car on it because the handbrake wasn’t always reliable enough to hold it.) They now have decent cars which park on it fine and built some steps alongside it a few years ago so access is much better now.

Off topic but I just had to go and look at some Kiwi calling videos on YouTube I bloody love Kiwis!

With that size of plot is it not possible to build a longer drive with a shallower gradient?

bit different as you are in NZ - makes me think of Billy Brown's hostel outside Dunedin, where the driveway was a matter of a long run up, pedal to the metal and a prayer to 'our lady of blessed acceleration'...

this would mean that only people with a suitable vehicle could visit. Deliveries and post operate differently from the UK, but what if you need carers? Ambulance? Or just visitors?

Sadly I wouldn't. Hope you can find somewhere that still ticks the boxes.

So in love with a block of land to build my dream home on.
Imagine trying to get all the building supplies up that slope!

A couple of my friends live on steep driveways and it's tricky for anyone visiting even they are ok with it.

Sorry but I think that's a bad idea at over 70 unless you're very physically nimble for your age. Especially if you'd need to build it too!

MrsJamin, I fear you are right! Too many negatives, sadly. Very interesting to read of everyone's experiences/opinions-thank you.

Over 70? You’re health will only decline from now on and the hill will become unmanageable.

How long are you planning on the build raking...