25 November 2014
Two self build schemes are gathering momentum in locations around Scotland helping boost the number of people able to design and build their own homes.
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Edinburgh housing co-operative joy at planning approval
Plans have finally been approved for ten innovative self build homes in the city of Edinburgh following a struggle to gain funding support.
Craigmillar Eco Housing Co-operative‘s (CEHC) project has now been given the go-ahead after a lack of money to pay for the management and administration threatened to stall the idea.
The scheme will feature ten highly-sustainable and affordable homes (pictured) at Greendykes Road, Craigmillar. The homes are designed to Passivhaus standard – meaning they will use 90% less energy. Residents have been fully involved in the project design and will be working on site with the contractor. It is anticipated that they will move into their new homes in early 2016.
Based on a self build and co-operative structure, the project implements a national plan to change future housing provision. Scottish Government’s vision ‘Homes Fit for the 21st Century’ calls for more collaboration between housing providers and funders to shape the way new homes are delivered. The project has been supported by City of Edinburgh Council and PARC Craigmillar.
CEHC secretary Garreth Roberts said: “This is a great opportunity for Craigmillar and thanks to collaborative work with our partners in the private and public sector, the project has made real progress over the last 18 months. We are now taking significant steps towards realising this exciting new development.”
Bargain self build plots come to market in Dumfries and Galloway
A self build initiative which aims to provide affordable housing for local people is offering low-cost self build plots in the small seaside village of Monreith.
Dumfries and Galloway Small Communities Housing Trust (DGSCHT) is selling three plots for self build homes for just £17,500 each. The plots are specifically targeted at local people in need of housing or those are looking to upsize but are unable to afford open market prices and purchasers will need to meet certain criteria based on this.
Each of the three plots is fully serviced and is around 100m2 in size, large enough to feature a 1 to 1½ storey three-bedroom detached home, and plot payments can be deferred until later on the build to assist cash flow. Planning permission is in place but designs for the homes will need council approval.
One restriction on the resale of the finished homes is that DGSCHT has the first option of buying back the properties at 77% of the current market value under a Rural Housing Burden (RHB). RHBs provide this special pre-emption right to community landowners for land they have sold for the provision of affordable rural housing – ensuring that the price of property involved remains within reach of the local community in the long term.
Jamie Dent, DGSCHT Chief Executive, is keen to encourage the homes to be as eco-friendly as possible: “We’ve been involved in the construction of some passive housing in the past as we’re very keen on people having very low fuel costs. Fuel poverty is a major issue in this area and there is no logic in this day and age in not building the most energy-efficient house you can.”
Further information on the scheme can be obtained by calling 01848 332516 or by email to mail@dgscht.co.uk.
