Scotland is leading the way in the UK with a trailblazing piece of legislation that requires all new homes to meet a new Scottish passive standard by 2024, including owner-commissioned or self build homes.
Similar to the Passivhaus Standard, the new regulations set a minimum standard for environmental design standards, meaning all new build homes must meet set levels of airtightness, insulation and energy standards.
Doing this will offer a better lived experience for residents, delivering high levels of thermal performance and energy efficiency that should help manage energy costs, as well as meet wider climate challenges.
The change is set out in the new Domestic Building Environmental Standards Bill, and it is expected that secondary legislation will be passed in Scotland to ensure the standard is being me by 2024.
Alex Rowley MSP introduced the change through a private member’s bill calling for all new housing to meet Passivhaus standard, or a Scottish equivalent, a direct response to the Scottish Climate Assembly Recommendations for Action around homes.
Jon Bootland, CEO, Passivhaus Trust said, “It is a truly forward-thinking approach by the Scottish Government and a positive response to the 2021 Scottish Climate Assembly recommendations.
“They are to be applauded for taking this crucial step towards meeting their Net Zero/ Climate Emergency goals. Now we must ensure that the Bill is well developed and implemented to deliver the greatest impact on the actual performance of new homes in Scotland.”
For anyone looking for land, Potton has a range of plots available to make the process easier. Searching for land remains one of the most significant barriers to anyone wishing to self build, but more and more companies are now bringing on multi-plot sites where custom or self build is an option.
Potton has a range of both types of plot options available, as do other NaCSBA members, such as Hugr Homes’ Wellbank site in Cumbria.
Typically on such sites you custom build, where you engage with an enabler already associated with the site to build out your home, with various options for customisation on a site by site basis. But on some multi-plot sites you can self build, so it is worth talking to the promoter about the route available on a development.
For self building on such sites you may have the freedom to commission your own home for the plot, although you will have to meet some preset requirements. These are typically set out on a development level in the design code, and a plot level in the Plot Passport.
Just north of Swindon, Tadpole Garden Village is an award winning Crest Nicholson development, that includes 14 plots of land. Buyers can customise the Potton custom build home that is agreed for each site. Plots are currently all reserved, but it’s always worth registering your interest as buyers sometimes fail to proceed – meaning the plot returns to the market.
Set in a village near Maidenhead, Kent, this development includes nine plots, in a range of sizes, where buyers can custom build. Potton will work with the buyers in the design and construction of the home, which contractor Northchurch Homes will then provide a fixed-price for the build of the turnkey home – meaning they build the entire house. Buyers have complete control of the internal layout and specification.
You can expect more sites like these to come forward over 2023, including in Norfolk, Kent, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Sussex, Worcester, Essex and Bedfordshire.
The beauty of such multi-plot sites is that they come with certainty that a house can be built from a planning point of view, with services and wider infrastructure, like roads, in place.
Potton also offers a range of training opportunities, including dedicated Ask the Experts sessions where you can get help and advice about your project – whatever stage you are at.
Visit its Self Build Academy for details, including of its next events in January, at both the Potton Show Centre in Cambridgeshire and the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.
Custom Build Homes has secured outline planning permission at Cross Nursery in Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire for 14 detached homes that can be customised to buyer’s choices. Coming to the market in 2023, the development includes a range of house and serviced-plot sizes.
The company secured outline permission with the help of planning consultants Tetlow King Planning on the site of a derelict former horticultural nursery site in a semi-rural location in the Hertfordshire Green Belt.
The plots are laid out in an attractive landscape, and come with permission for “blank canvas” homes that are fully customisable, with buyers having freedom of choice around room layout, interior fixtures and fittings and green utilities. There is also the opportunity to build in greater affordability by using “sweat equity”, whereby owners can take part in their home’s completions.
The application at Cross Nursery was approved in compliance with Broxbourne Borough Council’s supportive local planning policies, which enables suitably designed custom and self-build housing to come forward on former nursery sites in the borough. This is despite being classified as inappropriate development under Government Green Belt policy.
In making the planning case Custom Build Homes worked closely with Tetlow King to present a strong demand, viability and design-led case, with BuildStore and Custom Build Homes’ demand data being an important part of the planning arguments.
Custom Build Homes praised the officers at Broxbourne Borough Council for their positive and consistent engagement on the Cross Nursery site, with Mario Wolf, Director of Planning at Custom Build Homes saying: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for our customisable homes range on this challenging green belt site.
“As a specialist enabler of custom build housing, we work closely with our landowner clients and local authorities to design high quality housing communities which maximise value and are sensitive to their local context.”
Find your self build register on the Self Build Portal.
South Gloucestershire Council has announced the availability of six self build plots within the Charfield Gardens development, close to the market town of Wotton-under-Edge (Planning reference PT16/6924/O). The six self build plots have been launched as part of a ‘percentage policy’ scheme that requires developers to sell at least 5% of plots on residential and mixed-use sites to self and custom builders (applied on sites over 100 homes).
The size of each plot at Charfield Gardens ranges from 220m² to 254m² and are priced from £125,000. The plots are on the larger Barratt Homes development in Charfield Village, which includes permission for 121 residences and a retail unit, as well as public open space, play areas, allotments, and an orchard.
The six self build plots come with utilities, including foul and surface water drainage, water, gas, electric and telecom. Purchasers must submit a full planning application, outlining the appearance of the build, as well as outline proposals for landscaping, scale and layout.
Planning applications must be aligned with the wider design of the site, as well as the individual Plot Passport, which is a simple and succinct summary of the design parameters for a given plot.
This welcome move makes sets the council apart as a great example of a local authority working to support those people on its self build register.
Image by Mastersenaiper from Pixabay
On Right to Build Day (30 October) NaCSBA published a letter calling for an end to the practice whereby local authorities place unfair financial tests that prevent people signing their local self build Register.
Importantly, the letter is supported by the mortgage sector, including the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, the Building Societies Association and UK Finance.
NaCSBA is sharing the letter to bring an end to the minority of councils applying unnecessary and bureaucratic tests that must be passed before someone can join a self build register. Effectively these few councils are restricting people’s ambitions – and legal right – to sign their self build register.
The legislation does enable local authorities to set tests for people wanting to sign the register, which include local connection and financial tests. But the guidance for these states that these should only be applied where there is a “strong justification” for doing so.
However, some of the tests are completely unnecessary and unfair, such as the requirement to have a mortgage offer in place or to have written confirmation of funds from a qualified financial adviser.
In addition, some of these policies also refer to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, which ceased to exist in July 2017, with its activities now undertaken by UK Finance.
The letter recommends that:
It is not appropriate to ask for a mortgage offer to join a Register.
This can typically only be obtained when access to land with planning permission has been assured. Any person who is in this position has therefore no need to join a Register.
It is not appropriate to ask for an Approval in Principle.
Such a document has a specific place in the house purchase process, and the regulatory environment. The production of an Approval in Principle (AIP) involves time and cost for an applicant, the mortgage adviser and for the mortgage lender. An AIP typically includes a credit assessment of the customer. This process can result in credit footprints that can ultimately reduce access to credit including future mortgage lending. An AIP has a limited life (no more than 6 months) which is much shorter than the time in which the local authority has to act.
It is not appropriate to ask for other written evidence from a fully qualified financial adviser.
An adviser would typically charge a fee for such work, and as noted above any activity this far in advance of any mortgage application is of no wider underlying value to the customer.
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell CEO of the National Custom & Self Build Association stated: “A limited but growing number of local authorities are making it too difficult for potential self builders to benefit from the law. This is unfair and wasteful of the resources of individuals and the mortgage sector. We are hugely grateful to the mortgage sector for their support in enabling our sector to deliver more and better homes.”
Kevin McCloud (Presenter, Grand Designs) stated: “At a time when we need more sustainability and affordable homes, it is beyond belief that any council is making it impossible for such homes to be delivered.”
NaCSBA has also published a briefing note setting out the context around the Right to Build legislation and registers.
What has become known as the Right to Build legislation requires all local authorities to establish a Register of all those who wish to build or commission a home and to then ensure that sufficient plot ‘permissions’ come forward to meet that demand.
The financial solvency test is designed to assess the ability of an applicant to purchase the land and build a self build home. However, the examples above applied by some local authorities effectively make them too hard and / or too expensive for applicants to pass.
There will also be an assessment of financial resources. The Council will require relevant evidence of sufficient resources as follows:
(Source: letter from Solihull Council to everyone already registered on its register)
The council will require relevant evidence of sufficient resources as follows:
(Source: Epping Council Self Build FAQs)
Financial Solvency Test:
(Source: Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Register: Advisory Notes)
Potton has transformed its Caxton showhome with a design makeover to mark its 30 years as the founding property in the Potton Self Build Show Centre in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.
Many aspiring self builders in England have made the trip to see Potton’s well-know Show Centre where they can experience the five furnished show properties. The builds showcase a range of styles, from a contemporary passive house to traditional classics, such as its popular Georgian-style home.
If you can’t get to the show centre in person, check out the gallery for a preview of the redesign. Not only does this demonstrate how a traditional framed self-build can age gracefully, but it inspires visitors about how they can combine classic self build features with a fresh modern take.
Based on a dormer cottage, the Caxton has always been a popular design for Potton – inspiring many similar homes. Potton can recreate the homes at the show centre, or tailor them with infinite permutations to create the ideal home for your needs.
Potton chose Zoe Godbold from ic7design – a self builder herself – for the redesign, with the brief to make a space that suited modern living trends, that could work equally well for a growing family or couple looking to downsize.
Zoe’s clever use of colour blocking, paired with contemporary accent wallpapered walls, ensure the design was on point while maintaining the cottage-vibe that is essential to this much loved design. This helped keep the finished look both cosy and welcoming while packed with personality.
Zoe wanted to make the most of the exposed beams, an essential part of the look, using them to define three distinctive spaces in the kitchen/dining space by creating a snug area to relax in, a hub around the kitchen island, and the dining area for entertaining.
The designs are completed with a lighting scheme incorporating lamps, uplighters, downlights and dimmers to bring drama and warmth to the rooms.
Paint skirting, architraves and doors the same shade or colour as other woodwork, such as beams, to bring the design together. This can be picked up with furniture and fittings details, such as legs or shelves.
Limit wood tones to make designs pull together or use bold contrasting shades to emphasise a design feature.
Pick up colours from integral features – such as the Caxton’s fireplace – to pull room colour schemes together.
Choose a metal accent colour and repeat it across the house if planning a self build, such as the black wrought iron which is used on door furniture, lighting and bath fittings here.
Consider rooms that have more than one function, to make sure the house can adapt to a range of users. For example, incorporating quiet corners, spaces for work or hobbies or by using clever furniture, such as bookcase headboards, as these can make bedrooms work much harder.
Guest rooms offer a chance to create a really special space, with their own personality – don’t be afraid to be bold with your choices and create a space you might not choose for your own bedroom.
Paint colour can be a cost-effective way to inject personality and drama – try large test patches to get a sense of the colour before investing, as it will look different in different spaces.
Email to find out more about Zoe’s work.
If you work in the custom and self build sector don’t miss NaCSBA’s first conference, on 1 November at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.
Themed around the idea of remaining resilient in the current market, the Custom and Self Build Conference marks Right to Build Day 2022, the date when the registers close on the 30 October for another complete base period of the local authority registers.
While numbers on the registers are growing, research shows that many people remain unaware that they can sign up to the registers, six years on from them commencing.
For these working in the industry, the conference is an essential opportunity to find out more about a range of factors impacting development, including many environmental changes.
Free for NaCSBA members, the conference brings together leading stakeholders from across the sector, such as custom build enablers and planners. Self Build Portal users can get 50% off, using the code PARTNERS (see below for instructions).
Running order to be confirmed, but sessions include:
PLUS
*Speakers and subjects may change. Conference runs from 9:30-4:30
FREE – NaCSBA members (up to two tickets for Regular members and six tickets for Gold Partners).
£195+VAT for conference only
£295+VAT combined conference ticket and NaCSBA’s Custom and Self Build Market Report (PDF and hard copy while stocks last).
Anyone joining NaCSBA as a member during or in the week following the event will have the cost of their ticket repaid.
To access the 50% discount, use code PARTNERS to generate a halfprice ticket – simply click the link and then the TICKETS button on Eventbrite – then click ADD PROMO CODE (in blue) and APPLY to generate the discount.
If you are a NACSBA member contact Duncan on media@nacsba.org.uk for your code to get a free ticket.
Government has released plans to tackle the issue of ‘nutrient neutrality’ – which has prevented any building, including self builds, from taking place in many counties across England.
Backed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), the plans recommend a new mitigation scheme, which will mean that building can take place where certain conditions are met.
Natural water habitats are typically affected by the excessive run off of nutrients, which has an adverse effect on the delicate water-based environment, leading to algal blooms that threaten flora and fauna.
Such nutrients are usually due to run off from farming, such as fertiliser or effluent from chicken farms, or from untreated water being shed from water treatment plants that are not up to the job.
But construction has also been blamed for this, with 74 English counties affected – either wholly or areas within them. This led to a blanket ban on all new construction on undeveloped land in some areas, which has been in place for several years now, such as in Herefordshire.
Government’s new scheme is based on the idea of mitigation, meaning that you can effectively put in additional measures to offset any potential damage. These offsetting measures will then improve the local situation for wildlife. These may be through physical schemes or though a process where the developer (and presumably the self builder) can buy ‘nutrient credits’. These then contribute to mitigating measures built locally, rather than on each site.
These may involve local Sustainable Urban Drainage systems (SUDs), new or expanded wetlands and woodlands and so on, to support and promote new local habitats.
Once agreed, permission can then be granted for work to go ahead. Natural England will be the accreditation body overseeing this credit element, and government is also creating a a legal duty for water companies in these areas to upgrade water treatment works by 2030 to the highest levels.
Levelling up secretary Greg Clark added: “It is essential that new homes do not impair the quality of our rivers, streams and wetlands. These measures will ensure the development can take place, but only where there is practical action taken to protect our precious aquatic habitats.”
NaCSBA congratulates the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) on 15 years of supporting aspiring self builders as they plan and carry out their project. As the UK’s only permanent visitor centre for self-builders, renovators, and home improvers it has numerous awards and much praise for its crucial role in the sector.
No planning for a self build is complete without a visit to the centre in Swindon, where its permanent stands and exhibits support people getting to grips with the process, where they can experience materials and processes, chat to suppliers or get tailored advice. In addition the NSBRC also runs a calendar of self build shows, training and external events that make repeat visits well worth the effort.
Launched by BuildStore, for the last six years the centre has been run as an employee-owned business, ‘The Homebuilding Centre Limited’, ensuring that staff are invested in the services they provide.
Over the years the centre has won several awards, not least in 2017 it won a Build It Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Self Build’, as well as several for its employee-ownership model.
To celebrate its fifteenth anniversary the team hosted a special birthday dinner in April to thank the local and national self build community and stakeholders for their support over the years.
Harvey, said, “2022 is a special year and a real achievement for NSBRC, and we’ve got lots of exciting plans for the future. We’re hosting more events, workshops and courses than ever before to help people build better homes, including a late opening (until 9am) on select Thursdays over the coming months to give people the chance to discover self build at a time that’s more convenient to them.
Late nights at the NSBRC run on 28th April, Thursday 26th May and Tuesday 28th June – visit the website for the full calendar of events.
Find out more about NSBRC’s employee owned model
Stellco Homes has announced a new site in Cambridge, with a choice of five detached plots for custom builders in the village of Haslingfield.
Having operated as a housebuilder for over 20 years, Stellco Homes has diversified into custom build, with customers buying a plot at Haslingfield able to design their own home prior to Stellco obtaining planning permission.
Once achieved, Stellco will then go on to build your home for you – to your specification, removing much of the stress from the process.
The five plots come with preliminary designs (one shown above) that make the most of each plot’s size and orientation. Customers then discuss options with Stellco, configuring internal layouts, external features and fixtures and fittings. Initial designs for the homes run from around 1,957 to 2,850 sq ft. To find out more email Stellco or call 07976 210 875.
Angelo Baccarella of Stellco Homes said, “Most people don’t understand the difference between self-build and custom build and are not aware that they can have all the benefits of self-build and more by opting for custom build. I believe we are amongst the few companies offering this service for people who aspire to build their own home but lack the time and skill to do so and find a suitable plot.”
