Grand Designs: The Streets returns for its third instalment for 2023, kicking off at 9pm on Tuesday 16 May on Channel 4. Hosted by self build champion Kevin McCloud, the series is spin of the one-off houses of the regular Grand Designs show, instead concentrating on mult-plot sites.
For Series 3, the show visits a new self and custom build site in York, while returning to previously visited ‘streets’ at Graven Hill in Bicester, and Mary Hill in Glasgow, the pilot scheme of the local council.
Grand Designs: The Streets follows people building with a far more realistic approach than the mega-houses that tend to feature in the main series, with real people building on real budgets.
In York, Kevin follows former schoolteacher Nicola as she project manages her brick build (below), while steelworker Mark and partner Maryellen (main picture) work on a Brazilian-style home on the same street.
In Glasgow, Natasha Huq catches up with the Glasgow project, where the last homes are going up. the final few homes go up.
Self builds going up on the multi-plot site in York.
The National Self Build and Renovation Centre Show returns on Friday 12 to Saturday 13 May, bringing with it its usual offering of insight and inspiration for anyone planning a self build, custom build or other major home project.
A new offering for this show is the introduction of VIP tickets, which includes a range of benefits. Most useful is the ability to engage 1-2-1 as VIP ticket holders have preferential access. This includes the opportunity to pre-book consultation appointments with experts, as well as an exclusive Q&A with one of the NSBRC’s own specialists.
Tickets for the show are free, while the VIP tickets cost £40 per couple (or £25 per person) – book here for Friday and here for Saturday.
The VIP ticket includes:
• Guaranteed parking space in front car park
• Exclusive Q&A with an NSBRC experts
• Pre-booked consultation appointments with experts
• Free tea and coffee
• VIP Lounge
• Complimentary buffet lunch (served between 12 and 1pm)
There’s plenty on at the show for whatever stage you’re at, whether you are trying to get an overview of the entire build process or drill-down detail.
Repeated on both days in the Build It Theatre is a six part overview of the stages of entire build process, including: Finance & Funding; Finding Land; Planning Permission; Design Principles; Building Control; and VAT Reclaim.
In addition Friday has Natural Environment Surgeries, including: bat conservation and ecological surveys; landscape design; wildlife-friendly borders; and, wildlife habitats, while Saturday has a focus on Energy and Cost Saving Technology, including: draught exclusion; performance assured insulation; water conditioning and sustainable window shading.
The Sustainability Theatre is also returning with over 20 talks, led by companies well-established in their fields, from MVHR to insulation. This will inform would-be self builders with practical measures and plans to enable them to create a sustainable and energy efficient build.
Plot sales are now live on an exclusive five-plot custom build development in Hailsham, East Sussex, for homes between 3-5 bedrooms.
The Paddock is the result of a partnership of Custom Build Homes and development partner and NaCSBA member Landström, with planning permission in place for five substantial properties of up to 252-396m² on plots up to 1/3 acre. The plots start from £230,000, and the homes, which have enough space for garages, are ranged around a shared central courtyard that provides each individual access.
Plots come with flexibility in terms of house design, size and specification, and purchasers will be able to design and create their home with Chartered Architect and Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine expert, Head of Architecture Allan Corfield, who is also a NaCSBA member. A design code and Plot Passports are in place to frame what can be created, as part of the planning permission from Wealden District Council.
This process includes a collaborative design process that will explore how purchasers want to live, culminating in a digital design with a fixed cost, that includes planning and technical design.
Tom Connor, CEO & Founder of Custom Build Homes said, “We’re excited to launch the development to market. The Paddock offers people in East Sussex the unique opportunity of creating a new home exactly as they wish it to be, while being supported by the experts at Custom Build Homes.
“I look forward to seeing the unique designs homebuyers create and the development becoming
an exemplar for future sites.”
DLUHC’s latest data for custom and self build in England shows that while the number of individuals and groups on the register has grown modestly, the number of permissions fell.
In addition, the number of planning permissions granted for plots for custom and self build was 6,374, a reduction of 23% on the previous year.
In total, there are 63,662 individuals who have signed their local self build register, as well as 807 groups. But the numbers for the last 12 months until 30 October 2022 were overall down on previous figures. This showed a 34% decline in individuals and a 37% fall in the number of groups signing up.
The data is published annually by the Department of Levelling-Up, Communities and Housing, and is based on council returns for 2021-2022, running annually from 31 October to the next 30 October.
There are numerous reasons why the numbers are down, but logically a significant factor is the current economic environment. With inflation and prices skyrocketing, all housebuilding and planning applications across the board have slumped over the last 12 months, to their lowest figures in 16 years, as reported by the Department of Levelling-Up, Communities and Housing.
Repeated government commitments to overhaul planning have created uncertainty, with many local authorities freezing their local plan making process until a clearer picture emerges. This means that many fewer policies supportive of custom and self build have emerged as a result.
This has got so problematic that the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has forecast that housebuilding will fall to its lowest levels since the Second World War unless the planning system starts to support housebuilding in England.
The National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA) is also aware that more councils than ever have applied tests to limit people signing up to the local self build registers, which act as a deterrent.
However, the register remain a vital tool for the sector, and must be used by the public to raise their profile. Research in 2022 found that 21% of people were unaware of the Right to Build legislation, meaning that many more people want to self build. In addition, a lack of activity in terms of permissioning enough plots to reflect demand for people wanting to custom and self build is now starting to gain more weight in planning appeals.
NaCSBA urges anyone interested in building to sign up to their local register because of this. If your authority places charges or tests that you deem unfair it has provided template letters of complaint that you can fill in.
These have a two-fold effect – they should act as secondary evidence beyond the register that you want to build locally, and highlight where you, as a resident, feel that your local planning authority’s rules are prejudicial to you in your ambition in regard to housing.
You can find and sign your local register via the Self Build Portal, access the template letter or get answers from our FAQs about what the Right to Build does – and doesn’t – deliver on this website.
Peter Johns, CEO of NaCSBA said, “The latest data is disappointing and reflects the obstacles put in place to registering by many local authorities (be it registration fees, local connection or financial tests).
“NaCSBA continues to challenge authorities where they are putting road blocks in the way, but also supporting authorities through the work of its Right to Build Task Force. We know that the numbers underestimate the level of demand by some margin – NaCSBA is currently undertaking research and analysis to demonstrate this and expects to report on it later in 2023.”
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, Policy Director, NaCSBA said, “The drop in numbers joining the registers is a disappointment and we are in the process of undertaking a deep dive into the data. We do not believe the fall off is as a result of any reduction in the underlying desire of people to have a home built to their design and specification.
“We continue to see challenges from a proportion of planning authorities, that are contrary to the spirit and letter of the legislation – legislation that is being tightened to address some of the poor practice that have been identified. Factors such as covid, inflation and cost of living challenges may also have had an impact.
“We continue to strongly believe that low public support for new homes is closely linked to the lack of desire for the homes that are currently being delivered and that greater customer choice is the key to more and better homes.”
Orchard Farm in Kent has submitted a detailed planning application to Ashford Borough Council for the first phase of 25 self build plots, which it hopes to bring to market in Autumn 2023.
The site, which will ultimately have 122 plots if planning is successful, is the result of a partnership between specialist developer and NaCSBA member Steenvlinder and local developer Urbanise.
The application follows extensive public consultations with local communities and other stakeholders, with interested parties able to visit the site.
Many approaches to custom and self build are quite distinct, and Orchard Farm is using a model where it is applying for detailed planning permission as a mechanism to get the serviced plots through planning, by providing lots of clarity around building and design regulations for the self builder.
This will be used to create Plot Passports for each plot, that sets out what the selfbuilder can build, covering such details as maximum height and volume, roof pitches, external material choices and parking areas.
Hans Sparreboom, Founder & CEO at Steenvlinder, said: “As a developer, our overarching purpose is to empower self-builders to be able to shape their environment: not only as individuals but also as part of a wider community. We will encourage them to express their unique identities, by offering freedom of choice, within a framework of specific regulations which will help them create a cohesive and distinctive neighbourhood.”
Adam Roake, Owner at Urbanise, said: “Our aim is to create a community with a distinct sense of place and our inspiration in shaping the Orchard Farm community has been informed by the distinctive characteristics of East Kent.”
Speaking about their ‘landscape first’ approach, Adam said: “Our application is different – its focus is on the green public spaces and not the houses. Our future self-builders will design these, and each will be subject to a further submission to demonstrate compliance with the masterplan and relevant plot passport.”
Ecology Building Society has launched a new range of mortgages designed for homes built using modern methods of construction (MMC), ideal for self and custom builders.
Its new Off-site Build products have four initial modular manufacturers signed, including Agile Homes (garden room, below), HebHomes (night image below), nHouse Commercial and R. House (main picture), with more to follow.
A long-standing NaCSBA member, Ecology Building Society specialises in mortgages that support energy efficient homes and better building, with over 40 year’s of experience in the market.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) refers to systems that are manufactured offsite in a factory, and they can involve a range of approaches, such is insulated concrete formwork or timber frame. In this case the new products are for panel-based modular manufacturers offering whole home systems.
These systems use panellised units that are made off-site in the factory before being assembled on-site. It is a system that can easily create an energy-efficient home, with significantly quicker construction times, improved and more consistent build quality and a lower carbon footprint achieved by reducing transport emissions, using more sustainable building materials and reducing construction waste.
Self and custom builders can choose an arrears payment product, or, for the first time, an advanced payment mortgage secured against the panels while they are being manufactured in the factory. Ecology believes this will make it easier for more people to access mortgage finance for such MMC builds.
House building is going to become more sustainable as government now recognises the urgent need to reduce the carbon impact of house building. It wants new homes to reduce their carbon emissions by 75% by 2025.
Gareth Griffiths, Ecology’s Chief Executive said: “Decarbonising our homes is key to meeting our net-zero ambitions. Now, more than ever, it’s important that lenders play an active role in incentivising green building and helping to reduce energy bills.
“We hope that our new mortgages will help scale-up modern methods of construction to deliver more homes built to higher energy-efficiency standards.
“The introduction of the ‘advanced payment’ mortgage option is an exciting first for Ecology, making energy efficient off-site build homes more accessible for those borrowers who may require up-front funding.
“Our innovative approach, to secure our lending, in advance, on the modular panels while they are in the factory, has the potential to be a game-changer, helping to realise the environmental benefits of off-site construction, which will be critical in the fight against climate change.”
Rowallan Castle Estate is offering the opportunity to live and custom build with Cherish Homes in the grounds of the castle, which is also home to the 18-hole golf course.
There are two main opportunities – exclusive plots that even come with golf club membership at Fairview, or a choice of plots at Stable Fields. All homes are contracted to NaCSBA member Dan-Wood House, with a choice of pre-agreed designs to customise, with sustainability at the heart of every home.
Every house has been designed to be highly energy efficient, with a range of measures designed to achieve a ‘B’ energy rating.
The planning permission on plots available for custom building allow residents to customise the pre-agreed design, to create a layout and interior that suits their requirements.
The homes at Fairview on the estate offer a truly Grand Designs-style vision, with spacious plots laid out in clusters of homes in the wooded grounds. Buyers can either chose to have their luxury eco home built out as designed, or they can purchase as a custom build opportunity with the ability to customise the Dan-Wood House-built homes to suit their needs.
Only a limited number of plots remain on the market in cluster A and C, which will be home to five and eight homes respectively when built out.
Cherish is currently constructing a show home (see images) of the Newton design for people to visit, with an open day on the Easter weekend. Booking is essential and needs to be on the website.
There are 36 fully serviced plots at Stable Fields on Rowallan Castle Estate ranging from 0.1 to 0.28 acres, for houses with planning for 1,550 sq ft to 3,750 sq ft. The wide variety means that there is a choice of house sizes to suit a range of budgets and needs, offering 3, 4, 5 or 6 double bedrooms.
Buyers will work with the site’s architect to design their ideal layout plan, whether that involves a live-work space, open-plan or segregated living spaces or a downstair bedroom and wetroom.
Community-driven individual and collective self-build developer Steenvlinder has acquired a 20% equity stake in Custom Build Homes (CBH), to create a partnership to grow more opportunities to bring sites forward nationally.
Both companies have a track record in delivering multi-plot sites, with Steenvlinder bringing in its experience of self build in The Netherlands.
The investment creates a strategic partnership that demonstrates the two companies’ commitment to diversifying the UK’s growing custom and self-build housing sector, while making the process more accessible to more people.
Founded in The Netherlands in 2015, Steenvlinder expanded into the UK in 2021, with the new partnership a reflection of its desire to see more opportunities emerge. It currently working on two sites in Kent and another in Birmingham.
Find out more about the projects that are live on its website,
Based in Edinburgh, Custom Build Homes works to delivery mult-plot custom build sites across the UK, with sites either live or in development in Hertfordshire, East Sussex, Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, York and Kent. Custom Build Homes also manages UK’s national customer demand database, The Right to Build Register.
Find out which CBH sites are live on its projects page.
Hans Sparreboom, Steenvlinder Founder & CEO and Custom Build Homes Board Member, said, “While the ambition to increase the number of homes is important, the social ambition to make custom and self build more accessible will diversify the UK’s housing market with the development of better designed homes for happier homeowners and more vibrant communities.
“I am excited we are partnering with Custom Build Homes. Our experience, model, and openness towards self-building in The Netherlands will complement CBH’s knowledge and pragmatism towards navigating the UK market. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve by working together.”
Tom Connor, Founder & CEO at CBH, added, “We are pleased and excited to have such an experienced, forward-thinking, and socially driven developer like Steenvlinder as a shareholder and board member.
“Their continental approach to development and placemaking through custom and self build has enabled them to grow quickly in The Netherlands, and their openness to share and coach means we are sure to find plenty of opportunities to collaborate in the UK going forward.”
Image: the Custom Build Homes and Steenvlinder teams
Land promoter Leaper Land has resubmitted a planning application to Wokingham Borough Council for its Hurst site of 33 custom build homes. It is calling on anyone interested in building locally to offer their support for the initiative, which is providing valuable opportunities for anyone wanting input into their home.
How you can support Leaper Land’s Hurst application:
Leaper Land submitted the original planning application for the site at Broadcommon Road, late in 2022, but this was refused, largely on the basis of unsustainable development in the countryside, but also sited insufficient affordable homes.
As part of the new outline application Leaper Land has increased the amount of affordable homes from 40% (as required by Wokingham’s local plan) to 50%.
It has also proposed that 25% of the affordable homes will be discount open market custom and self build – meaning that people who might not otherwise be able to afford to build can access the plots. In addition, it is also looking into how the initial residents for other affordable home types can have a say in how their home is finished.
Other changes have involved replacing a proposed block of flats with more typical terraces and semi-detached homes, all of which overlook an enlarged public open space.
When it comes to planning your custom or self build, factoring in an interior designer can pay dividends, ensuring the interior of your home doesn’t become an afterthought that you regret.
Anyone working to create their dream home will spend a long term planning the build, and there’s a myriad of build and design decisions to be made, but interiors often get overlooked as budget constraints kick in. Too often with self builds you see a fantastic vision delivered by a builder or architect, but the interiors don’t reflect the design quality of the build.
Typical mistakes are a lack of planning around window treatments and lighting, as well as a failure to factor in SMART home tech into the design. Furniture from previous homes can look lost in the new setting, and colour, pattern and texture can seem intimidating in a pristine build.
But employing an interior design company can guarantee an incredibly bespoke and beautiful design for your property to give it the finish it deserves. Costs may be an issue, but if you factor them in from the start it won’t come as something to be sacrificed at the end when money is tight.
Budgeting for an interior designer also ensure that any SMART home features, such as Lutron lighting, Sonos speakers or different heating systems all work in conjunction with the completed design.
We spoke to professional interior designer and NaCSBA member Katie Malik Design Studio for the key considerations in working with a specialist.
Working with an interior design company ensures a sophisticated level of professionalism teamed with competent project management.
While designers and their client often bond over their big ideas for a blank space, an interior design professional will be able to:
A reputable interior design studio will have exceptional taste and be up to date with the latest in interior trends. This characteristic combined with their experience to create an incredible and exciting design for your property.
Whilst private clients may have designs in mind for creating interiors, working with a reputable interior design professional can ensure the design and execution of a breathtaking creation.
Employing an interior design professional can ensure that your project is managed to an impeccable standard and that the components of the design work in harmony to ensure optimum functionality of each space.
Using design software enables professionals to:
In addition, interior design companies also come with excellent lists of tradesmen and innovative design technology providers. The team will know who is the best in the business to deliver the ambitions of the project.
Katie says, “Katie Malik Studio has overcome a range of challenges when working with a diverse range of properties and the design plans of the owners. Thorough our knowledge of the industry, the latest trends and our close network of trusted tradesmen we work to bring a project to life.
Using an interior design studio does come with a cost attached, but it will be an investment in your home that will pay dividends for years to come as you enjoy living and working in a space tailored to your needs. It can be very easy to become overwhelmed with the prospect of interiors, but working with an interior designer brings creative and cohesive solutions that can save a lot of money, time and stress in getting it right the first time round.”
Credits: Design by Katie Malik Studio, images by Maciek Platek Food & Interior Photography.
