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Custom-build has once again hit the headlines thanks to the Government’s long-awaited White Paper on Housing – Fixing our broken housing market – which highlights the importance of this route to homeownership in order to tackle the nation’s housing crisis.
Custom-build has been a popular and successful means to build new homes across the continent, and further afield, for many years – and is now gaining traction in the UK. Custom-build holds many of the same principles as self-build: creating a home to suit your needs, having a role in the design of the property and saving money in comparison to buying from the standard residential market.
There are many exciting custom-build schemes being developed throughout the UK at present, and hopefully the next 12 months will see the emergence of many more.
To get an idea of the types of development you could be involved in, here we look at five exciting schemes from across the country.
French Fields
This exclusive development in Cheshire comprises 18 plots and is providing custom-builders with the opportunity to create a designer home in a remarkable country park location. In fact, the Parkland of Gorsey Lane, where French Fields is located, commands some of the highest property prices in the district. What’s more, French Fields is just a short drive away from both Warrington and St Helens – these large towns have a range of local amenities, as well as having fantastic transport links by rail and road.
The plots on the site are fully serviced and have outline planning permission in place, so purchasers can build their choice of home, be it a country pad, contemporary house or barn-style property. The plots are all sizeable and ideal for achieving a spacious five-bedroom home. In addition, the plot package comprises a flat level plot, a clear site, access road, utilities at the roadside and site perimeter landscaping.
Experts will be on hand throughout the development to ensure that homeowners are guided through a well-defined professional process, which will result in a bespoke home where every detail is one of choice, from internal room layouts to exterior features, to the direction of the staircase and the position of electrical sockets.
All the plots are currently reserved, however invested parties can still add their details to a waiting list. The plots cost from approximately £285,000.
Village Farm
Village Farm is a semi-rural development of 10 new homes located at the heart of the quaint village of Murton, just four miles from the east coast and six miles from Durham. Positioned immediately adjacent to the village green and war memorial at the centre of Murton, the site is conveniently located for good schools, plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Plots at Village Farm come with planning consent for detached homes ranging in size from 1500 to 1850ft2 – and are fully serviced with gas, water, electric, waste away and BT, terminating in the road adjacent to each property ready for final connection.
A range of professionals will be on hand to help homeowners throughout the process, including a local architect who can help to develop a bespoke design and interior layout. In terms of design, purchasers will have the chance to work with the existing approved plans and can adapt them to suit their family’s requirements or create something completely new. There are five plots still available, which are priced from £120,000.
Tanglewood
The rolling hills of the Welsh countryside provide the perfect scenery for the Tanglewood Blaina custom-build site. There are 27 plots at the development; each is fully serviced to the boundary with all roads and access in place.
Each plot is available with outline planning consent for owners to build their own bespoke home, with the opportunity to engage with an expert design and construction panel, comprising three of the UK’s leading self-build house-builders; Dan-Wood House, Oakworth Homes and Potton.
The outline consent gives purchasers flexibility in architecture, construction methods and materials, as well as being able to build their house to their own specification. The development is situated at the foot of the picturesque Brecon Beacons National Park, whilst Newport and Cardiff to the south are a 35-minute drive, and Bristol is an hour away on the M4. The plots cost from £70,000.
Gerrards Lane
Gerrards Lane is a custom-build development comprising six shovel-ready plots in the popular residential district of Halewood, Merseyside. When completed, the custom-builds will form an exclusive development situated close to Halewood Park – a Green Flag award-winning woodland, with ponds, meadow habitat and heathland.
A mere 10 miles from Liverpool city centre, the highly-desirable area provides a taste of the countryside whilst retaining easy access to the city. The area also provides easy access to a range of local amenities including local shops, Halewood train station and Halewood Leisure Centre.
Each of the fully serviced plots have planning consent, and are spacious enough to accommodate a large four to six-bedroom bespoke home, including a double garage. Plot purchasers can choose from a range of build packages to suit their budget, taste and build experience. What’s more, an experienced team of professionals will be on hand to provide help and support throughout their journey. Plots cost from £165,000.
Lynwood Road
East Staffordshire Borough Council has launched its first custom-build at Lynwood Road, Branston Village. The site, close to Burton upon Trent, comprises 25 plots and will be developed in three phases – with the first phase of development being eight plots. Each of these will be available to buy with outline planning permission for a spacious three, four or five-bedroom detached home.
To help with construction and development, a panel of trusted and recommended industry professionals will be available to help purchasers design and build at Lynwood Road. This flexible approach means that prospective homeowners can opt to do as much or as little work on the project as they wish, with expert help on hand throughout.
The plots will come fully serviced, have enough space for gardens, with well-connected streets allowing pedestrians and cyclists to easily move around. Plots will go on sale soon and prices will start from £85,000.