Custom Build Opportunities Growing & Other News

Custom build opportunities growing

A development in East Kingskerwell, Devon, will provide 175 new homes – including nine plots for self and custom builds. The scheme shows the efficiency of the local Teignbridge Council’s innovative policy that developer-led projects of 20+ houses should allocate 5% of plots to those who want to create their own homes.

Elsewhere, Quinn Estates’ Broughton Park project in Kent will open up 14 sites for self and custom build, while in the Midlands a collaborative scheme run by East Staffordshire Borough Council and BuildStore will make 25 plots available.

Over 50%

…of buyers of new developer-built properties have experienced major problems with their homes, according to a YouGov survey by housing charity Shelter. Defects included issues with construction, utility faults and unfinished fittings.

Shelter has called for the government to make major changes to revitalise the UK’s house building sector, with more dwellings created via alternative routes. A growing number of people are turning to self-build due to the tailored spec and quality control this solution offers.

Progress for Scotland’s self-build sector

Following the publication of the Scottish government’s planning consultation, the National Custom & Self Build Association’s (NaCSBA) Scottish Working Group has developed a list of action points to boost the nation’s self and custom build sector.

“I am soon meeting with senior planners to discuss how they can encourage more development,” says Angela Doran, who leads the group. Check out Rebecca Foster’s Q&A with Angela for more information on Doran’s strategy to promote this route to home ownership in Scotland.

Groundworks begin at Graven Hill site near Bicester

Construction work for the delivery of new self-build homes at Graven Hill in Oxfordshire – the UK’s largest custom housing scheme – is now underway. A total of 1,900 plots will be made available over a 10-year period.

As of January this year, 24 of the 35 sites to come to market so far had been reserved by people keen to create their own houses. Seven more plots went on sale that month as part of a sealed bid application process. Communities secretary Sajid Javid recently took a tour of the site.

“I was delighted to visit this innovative development. The impressive concept will provide many people with a home they can call their own and I’m really pleased to see so much interest already,” says Javid. To find out more about how to create your own property at Graven Hill, visit Build It Live Bicester in June.