5 July 2013
An organisation in West Yorkshire is aiming to boost the self build sector by delivering 40 sustainable and affordable homes in the Calder Valley.
The Hebden Bridge & Todmorden Community Self Build Housing group plans to build 20 homes in Hebden Bridge, with a further 20 in Todmorden.
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Chris Goddard, a director of the organisation, said: “Ideally we’d like to do both; however it may be that we end up devoting our attention to building in just one of the two towns.
“Gaining land has been a stumbling block. We have a number of potential housing sites shortlisted, though many of these may only be available as a long-term prospect and we’d like to get things going sooner.”
The group is keen to make the new homes available to people on modest incomes, so it is exploring if it can reduce the cost if people are prepared to do a lot of the construction work themselves.
All the new homes will be built to higher than normal sustainability standards and the group is keen to explore harnessing solar power, working with local businesses to source materials and using straw bales .
It is now looking to gauge reaction to its plans by holding a number of public consultations: asking people what sort of housing they would like to see, where future houses should be built and whether they should be environmentally sustainable. This feedback will be collated and presented to the local council. The group hopes to persuade the council to provide a low cost site or assist with funding.
The community consultation drop-ins take place at: Todmorden Central Methodist Church on Saturday 6th July (1-4pm); and at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on Thursday 18th July (12-4pm)
“Building your own home gives people a sense of ownership and a chance to shape it to your own tastes. It’s also about creating a community – this is something that really appeals”, Mr Goddard added.
