27 November 2012
A development of self finish homes could form part of a major new housing initiative in Norwich.
And four similar homes are expected to start on site in Felixstowe early in 2013.
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The Norwich project is likely to involve a half acre site at the end of Pointers Field (pictured) where eleven homes are planned – half of which could be self builds. Norwich City Council is exploring various options with the Orwell Housing Association, and may provide the homes as self finish units.
Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich City Council, says: “We will ensure that as well as the homes being of excellent build quality, they will have eco-features, meaning they will be economical to run.”
The council is supporting the self build homes, and a much larger programme of new council houses,as collectively they will help boost the local jobs market. Itplans to do this is through its ‘Building Futures in Norwich’ project, where contractors committo hire young apprenticesto make up at least 10 per cent of their workforce.
Meanwhile in Felixstowe the Orwell Housing Association expects to start on site in a few weeks with a pilot project that will see the construction of four ‘shell build’ homes. The homes are located in an elevated position overlooking the docks. Two of them will have three bedrooms, and two will have two bedrooms.
Greg Dodds, from the housing association, said the ‘shell build’ approach was all about making the homes more affordable. It also meant that the association could – potentially at least – build more homes for each pound of grant aid it receives. “The idea is that we will get contractors to put up the shells of the homes and the self builders will finish them off from the ‘first fix’ stage. They will be able to do as much, or as little, as they feel comfortable with. And those that take it on should be able to get savings of at least 20 per cent,” he said.
“With grant aid diminishing, we’re looking to use this model to make our development budgets go further. We hope to get the self builders for this pilot project lined up by Easter so that they can have a say in some of the internal lay outs options. And we should be able to hand them over to them in the summer, which means they can do the finishing off work when we have lots of daylight”.
