Finding land has never been quicker and easier: re-launch of new plot finding website
www.plotsearch.co.uk
Finding the right plot of land at the right time and at the right price has always been one of the biggest hurdles to self-build, but with the launch of a new, improved PlotSearch the frustrations associated with plot-finding are now greatly reduced. As the UK’s longest established online
land finding resource with over 80,000 subscribers and 8,500 live plots starting from as little as £5,000, PlotSearch has been redesigned to meet the growing inter- est in self-build and the need for current, relevant plot details on-demand. Now, for as little as £20 for a three-
month search plan, subscribers will have unlimited search functions for self-build, renovation and conversion opportunities across the United Kingdom; and for those wishing to purchase a plot specifically to build their own home, PlotSearch is the only portal that lists plots with genuine plan- ning permissions in place. Giving subscribers a faster and more
comprehensive one-stop self build portal, with plots published quicker than before from over 11,000 sources, plus tailored information on services such as finance and insurance to build and construction, the new PlotSearch site offers: •Mobile and tablet functionality – as the only mobile responsive land-finding resource in the UK, PlotSearch is perfect for subscribers on the move
•Free search and alert – simply register for free to receive PlotAlert emails of any new plots in your chosen area, save selected plots and be notified of any saved searches that are no longer
available. For PlotSearch subscribers, access is given to all details such as location, maps, price, planning, services and vendor information
•New expert advice and tools – everything you need to know about building your own home, including build calculator, land size examples, measurement convertor and a range of informative, expert factsheets
• New Bing map search – having selected your chosen county, the specific area of the available plot will be highlighted for greater insight of locality and infrastructure
•County guides – providing local information, such as contact details for the Council Planning offices, tourist information, local news and schools directory
•Local supporting services – keen to promote sustainability, PlotSearch now features highly localised, geo-targeted information showcasing useful local companies and services
•Free plot advertising – for those with a plot, renovation or conversion opportunity to sell, PlotSearch allows free posting of details
•News – keep up to date with the latest self build news that could affect your project through this dedicated newsfeed or follow PlotSearch on Facebook or Twitter @PlotSearch1
For those self-builders who are unable to find a suitable plot of land in their chosen area, PlotSearch also presents a viable
alternative with the Custom Build Register. With custom-build schemes becoming widely available across the country, and with the recent appointment of 11 ‘Vanguard’ councils to deliver custom build schemes, it offers self-builders the opportu- nity to do as much or as little as they desire but with the convenience of a fully serviced plot complete with planning permissions. Simply register your interest and favoured locality on
www.custombuildregister.co.uk. While the majority of search specifica-
tions are for singular plots for individual dwellings, if community living is something that appeals, the PlotShare Initiative also allows subscribers to team up with other self-builders to purchase larger sites with planning for up to four homes. David Mitchell, PlotSearch manager
adds: “We are delighted that PlotSearch has helped over 100,000 find a plot or building opportunity since its initial launch in 2000. Now, with improved functionality on the site, we aim to support thousands more in their quest to build the home of their dreams, whether it’s self-build, custom build or by taking on a renovation project.”
Self-build on a shoe string
A London-based team has won the top prize in the annual Self-Build on a Shoestring competition, sponsored by British Gas and announced at Grand Designs Live Birmingham. Its entry, called SHELL, provides a professionally built, highly insulated timber framed ‘envelope’ that indi- vidual self-builders can adapt and complete themselves. The winning team included architect Levitt Bernstein, housing provider Circle Housing and a recently formed self-build community group, Naked House, which is currently trying to progress plans to col- lectively build their own homes using the SHELL system. One of the leading features of the design was its flexibility. A single
person apartment can easily be extended so that it can accommodate two people, or a couple can bolt on a simple extension if they need extra bedrooms for a growing family. The basic SHELL is made using structurally insulated timber panels
that are manufactured in a factory and then bolted together on-site by a main contractor. This basic waterproof structure also has all the utili- ties installed, and the SHELL can be ‘lived in’ while the self-builders fin- ish off the interiors.
Once the SHELL has been built the homeowners complete their apart-
ments to their preferred layout and design. They will fit the internal walls, and install the bathrooms and kitchens. In the plans, owners will also be responsible for the decorating and other elements of the work. The Levitt Berstein, Circle Housing, Naked House team calculate
that the average construction cost of each home built, according to this plan, would be just £70,076 (not including the cost of the land). The Self-Build on a Shoestring judges included Grand Designs pre-
senter and self-build champion Kevin McCloud and the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Committee on self-/custom-build – Richard Bacon MP. Kevin McCloud, who also presented the awards, said: “I was very
taken by the way this solution delivered the best of all worlds. The basic structure was professionally built to a good standard, so that the families could then finish off the homes to their own designs and tastes. The design was also very clever in that it allowed people to almost seamlessly add or subtract extensions – so the development could adapt to match the needs of the people who lived there.”
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selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.co.uk
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