12 February 2015
Two self/custom build schemes are in the making for sites in North West and North East England with proposals for a total of 15 homes.
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Nine eco-homes planned near Oldham
Plans have been submitted to enable nine individual families to custom build their own eco-homes (pictured) on an old brownfield site at Woodbrook Farm, Springhead. The families have teamed up as an organisation, ‘Laureates Place Self-Build Ltd’, to buy the land and are working with consultants Invisible Homes Ltd to design the homes before tendering out to builders. It is envisaged that the builder will either fully custom build the eco-houses or construct the shells only to allow the families to complete the remaining works. Another proposal is to leave a serviced plot for each of the families to self build their own home.
The dwellings will blend into the surrounding area with green roofs and grass paving. Hedges will also be used as boundaries with 1,000 trees planted nearby and then moved into position when they have established an adequate height. Solar panels will also be added. The group secured £80,000 from the Homes & Communities Agency’s Community Led Project Support funding programme in getting planning on the site.
Martin Curley, a member of the community group, said: “I hope that we can act as inspiration to others and show that it is possible within the UK to self build without a massive budget.”
The scheme is similar to a community build project planned for nearby Ward Lane in Diggle.
Six plots/shells earmarked for site in Tyne and Wear
The Ouseburn Trust is seeking public opinion on its proposal to make six plots, or ‘shells’, available for people to self build their own home in Newcastle. The plots are part of a mixed-use development in James Place Street which is also set to feature 16 rental properties and ten workspace units.
Guidance has already been sought by the development firm through a pre-planning process in order to determine the viability of the scheme in terms of planning regulations. The Trust has further work to undertake with regard to surveys at the site, and further detail to add to the design with a view to seeking planning permission soon after. It is envisaged that work will start on site in the autumn.
A special two-hour session is being held in the Ouseburn Trust office this Saturday (14th February) from 3-5pm to showcase the self build opportunities on this site. Additionally, there are two consultation events; Saturday 14th February from 1-3pm and Monday 16th February from 3-7pm. Plans will also be on display during the consultation sessions and between 9-5 weekdays until 20th February in the Trust offices.
