The City of York Council has two realistically-priced plots on the market for self builders wanting to create their own home.
Set in Acomb in the west of the city the pair of plots are on a vacant site in an urban area, with buyers able to purchase a £95,000 plot to build on. Each plot comes with a design code setting out the guidelines of what can be built, as set out in the outline planning permission by York Council. The design code is available from the agent William H. Brown, York.
One plot measures 114m² and the other 106m², with the permission allowing for the creation of a detached home, and they benefit from the local amenities and schools that are present in the existing community. Buyers will need to apply for detailed planning permission before commencement, drawn up in line with the design code.
What is a design code?
A design code is a document – drawn up by the council in this case as the site promoters – that sets out the parameters of what is permissible to build within the plot. This might detail volume, mass, positioning and services, as well as other factors such as acceptable design details and materials. This then frames what the purchaser must account for in their design.
If offers some surety to the neighbouring community and the council about what will emerge, and helps ensure that the buyer’s design will get approved, as long as it is followed.
Self Build Register
The plots have emerged locally thanks to proactive work by York City Council to meet the needs of its self builders, as evidenced by their self build register. Councils often get criticised for not doing enough to promote their registers or support those on it, so NaCSBA is pleased to see an excellent example of a council acting positively in this way by facilitating plots to come to market.
