Group self and custom build – is this the future?
190,000 self-build homes have been built in Berlin, why are our European neighbours so ahead of the game when it comes to self and custom build rates? Figures show that demand for self and custom build is here in the UK with 40,000 people estimated to be registered on local authority self and custom build waiting lists across the country. This is despite them being poorly advertised.
The government is trying to help us deliver more self and custom build homes. The Housing and Planning Act of 2016 placed a duty on all local authorities to provide enough self and custom build serviced plots to meet demand shown on their self and custom build register within three years of them registering.
During my time working as a Community Led Housing Adviser for Action Hampshire, I have met lots of people interested in building their own home in the county, but they all have no idea where to start. The people I have met are from all walks of life, some are wealthy looking for an aspirational home while others just want somewhere affordable to live and can see self/custom build as a great way to secure a modest home by saving money by doing things themselves. Building an eco-friendly and sustainable home is often at the top of their agenda which is positive, as it shows that those interested in self and custom build want to do their bit to help combat climate change. These people should be encouraged to fulfil their dreams as it could lead to the delivery of more eco-friendly build practices, build people’s confidence in the build process, and hopefully lead to more people following suite.
Land availability is a key component which will have an impact on whether self and custom build projects are successful. Working together as part of a group can often help self and custom builders access land due to economies of scale (as a landowner is more likely to sell to a group rather than a single self/custom builder). We at the Hampshire Homes Hub have helped bring several people together keen to self and custom build with many currently in the process of trying to identify a suitable, viable and available site.
It is always useful to look at schemes delivered elsewhere as a starter for ten when considering forming a self/custom build group. There are a number of ways in which group self and custom build can be achieved and it often requires local authorities, local communities, local politicians and the self-builders themselves to think outside the box.
Lowfield Green, York (an example of a self-build scheme built as part of a phase on a larger developer-led site)
Cohousing community with 6 self-build plots for sale
West Carclaze Garden Village, Cornwall (an example of a self-build scheme on a large allocated site)
Aylesbury Woodlands (part of a garden town)
At least 160 self-build plots on a 1,100 home scheme
Graven Hill, Bicester (a large self and custom build site delivered by Cherwell District Council)
1,900 plots available for self and custom build homes, Local Development Order gives planning permission. The detached homes are built on serviced plots, people can also build from shell level on terraced and mews homes, the site also offers tailored finish homes. The site also includes affordable rent and shared ownership homes as well as 1-2 bedroom apartments with bespoke individual finishes from a range of options.
The scheme at Graven Hill, Oxfordshire, is described as ‘Grand designs on an epic scale’. The site provides a wealth of self and custom build options for people from self-build service plots, self-finish schemes (where occupants ‘finish’ their home from shell level), right through to custom build (where occupants can choose a design for their home from a pallet of options).
The project began when a remarkably entrepreneurial local council (Cherwell District Council) bought hundreds of acres of MOD (Ministry of Defence) land then create the plots, the street layouts, the schools, nurseries, cycleways and even a pub.
The buyer then picks a plot, they range from a two bed starter home right through to a six bed detached aspirational home. The buyer then designs their home which then gets fast tracked through the planning system.
They can choose to build it themselves or choose an architect and builder. They can ask the builder to take it to shell level. Graven Hill is also pioneering a ‘group self-build’ concept where a group can form to build a row of houses.
Squirrel Wood (Basingstoke) – an example a bit closer to home
122 custom build homes including affordable housing
Buyers reserve plot, get help to secure custom-build mortgage, choose house type, room layouts and other available features and agree design/build contract.
Customers can also use own builder.
Broadhempston self-finish Community Land Trust
Offers affordable self-build (through Rent to Buy) to local people on a Rural Exception Site (site outside settlement policy boundary, only acceptable for housing in ‘exceptional’ circumstances. Local restrictions on resale and the CLT owns 25% of equity (and freehold of the land) in perpetuity.
Shropshire single site exception policy
Policy (drawn up in 2013) allows for local people on modest incomes to build their own affordable home on a Rural Exception Site in their village. The home is capped at 60% in perpetuity so that the home is kept as an asset for the community in perpetuity. Local restrictions on resales.
Self and custom build could possibly be the future and we need proactive people (as well as willing landowners) to get these innovative projects off the ground in Hampshire. As you can see from the schemes mentioned above, these schemes have been built elsewhere so there is no reason why we cannot get similar schemes delivered here in our county!
Hampshire Homes Hub provides enabling support to people interested in self and custom build housing. We are here to try and put likeminded people in touch with one another and then help identify a site and create an action plan and shared vision. If you want to find out more, please contact our Community Led Housing Officer, Mags Wylie, on T:07801 699913 E: mags.wylie@actionhampshire.org W: www.actionhampshire.org
