13 May 2014
All the national publicity generated as a result of this year’s National Custom & Self Build Week (NC&SBW) has overshadowed news of many local projects that are now progressing.
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Here’s a round-up…
Eco-homes in the Saddleworth Hills near Oldham
A group of eight families has secured a £70,000 planning grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to help them prepare to build a number of new eco-homes at Woodbrook Farm, Springhead – nine miles north-east East of Manchester. Several plots are still available and the group is keen to attract others to join them. Further information is detailed on the group’s website.
Big Cornish Custom Build project gathers pace
The HCA, Carillion-Igloo and Coastline Housing have signed a legal agreement committing to deliver up to 150 new and affordable homes to be built at Trevenson Park, Pool in west Cornwall. The development includes proposals for between 50 and 60 custom build plots. A planning application is expected to be submitted next month and, providing Cornwall Council approves the plans, plots are expected to be available to buy from next spring.
Wokingham Borough’s first self build scheme
Wokingham council in Berkshire is looking for 10 to 20 skilled families to link up to build a self build ‘estate’, consisting of three-bedroom terraced or semi-detached homes, from Spring 2015. Existing social housing tenants and those on the council’s housing will be eligible to join the programme.
11 Custom build homes on site in Peterborough
A new custom build scheme will see 11 three and four-bedroom detached homes built within the new neighbourhood of Hampton Hempsted. The project will be delivered by Urban Self Build with funding from the HCA and the Custom Build Investment Fund. The serviced plots are available to buy freehold from £90,000 and indicative costs for one of the detached three-bedroom homes are around £195,000.
Plots available on large site in Newcastle
Developer Charles Church is making 39 serviced plots available to self builders at its 1,200 acre new-build site at Newcastle Great Park. Self builders can construct a house to their own design provided they work to a simple Design Code. The developer will provide road access to all plots, together with foul and surface water drainage and utilities such as water, gas, electricity and telecommunications. Prices start from around £150,000 and several of the plots have already been reserved.
Land for self build homes near Telford town centre
Twenty-one plots have been made available on land off Park Road and Dawley Green Way at Telford in Shropshire. The serviced plots are being sold by 360 Housing Partnership, with the cheapest ones available for around £115,000.
Strawbale building for sale
During NC&SBW there was a lot of activity: including a demonstration of how to build a small strawbale building.
The original structure was reserved by the National Trust for one of its properties. But due to unforeseen hitches the Trust can no longer use the building.
The simple one room structure provides 7.2m2 of space and could be used as an office, a studio, a guest room, a garden building, a therapy room or even a teenage crash pad. The asking price is £15,000 – however; it is only 90% finished and needs some further work to complete the build. Expressions of interest should be made via email to strawworks@gmail.com.
