4 May 2013
The first-ever ‘National Self Build Week‘ aims to help millions of Britons turn their self build dreams into a reality.
During the Week – at events at London’s ExCeL centre and all around the country – there will be opportunities to discover the many ways it is now possible to get a home built. And over the next few weeks tantalising information will be revealed about a string of major new self build projects that are in the pipeline.
{TEASER}
These include:
- A ground-breaking project that could provide up to 1,000 self build homes in Oxfordshire. The development, on a 500 acre site, is being master minded by a local authority that is already progressing a range of innovative self build projects that will deliver 250 self build homes.
- An initiative that will help 150 families in villages across Devon buy a site and build a three bedroom eco-home for just £100,000 each.
- Outline plans that could potentially deliver 100+ custom built homes on part of the London Olympic site.
- A pioneering regeneration project in Cornwall that will provide around 80 custom build homes on a former tin mine site.
- Two projects in the North East – one that will deliver 39 serviced building plots at Newcastle Great Park; and another in Middlesbrough that should provide scores more innovative self build homes.
- Proposals for 150 self build homes as part of a new town to the west of Cambridge.
- A new site for 50-60 self build homes in Shrewsbury.
- A 91 home high-tech zero energy self build project near Plymouth.
The Chair of the National Self Build Association (NaSBA), Ted Stevens said: “These projects will transform the UK self build sector and provide a real showcase for the many innovative ways more self or custom built homes can be delivered. The pioneering councils and developers that are involved are to be applauded for their vision and enterprise”.
National Self Build Week is a new campaign being run by NaSBA and the organisers of the Grand Designs Live exhibition, which takes place at ExCeL during the week. It is supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government, and many of the companies active in the self build sector.
During the Week there will be series of high-level debates and other events at Grand Designs Live featuring the Housing Minister Mark Prisk MP and Planning Minister Nick Boles, alongside TV presenters Kevin McCloud and George Clarke.
The Housing Minister will formally launch the Week today and will unveil a number of initiatives to help grow the sector. These include the new ‘Need-a-Plot‘ feature on The Self Build Portal, and the launch of a Guide aimed at local authorities, regeneration agencies and housing associations.
Welcoming the new facility on The Self Build Portal the Minister said: “One of the main barriers self-builders have faced in the past has been to find a suitable plot on which to build their dream home. We’ve been determined to tackle this, ensuring through our planning reforms that councils must consider the needs of those looking to self-build when drawing up their local plans for development. So I’m delighted that The Self-Build Portal will now include a ‘Plot Wanted’ feature, so aspiring self-builders can put their call out to landowners and agents and find the site that’s right for them.”
The Minister also applauded the new guidance for public sector organisations saying: “This excellent Guide provides councils and housing associations with a good overview of the many ways they can encourage self build in their area. Some councils are already doing this, but others could do much more. So I urge them to use this Guide to ensure people in their local community can also have the opportunity to build their own home”.
The document (to become available free from NaSBA’s website) showcases the many ways it’s now possible to encourage larger scale self build projects.
Regionally there are events taking place across the UK – from Open Days, to seminars and various firms offering special discounts. Full details of the Week can be found on the NaSBA website.
