NEWS
A celebration of sustainable self-build at Grand Designs Live
The 15th edition of Grand Designs Live has been hailed by the organisers as “one of the most exciting, engaging and informative to date”. The show, which was held at London’s ExCeL, had a heavy focus on sustainability and self-build, and worked in co-operation with the National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) to host National Custom and Self Build Week. Visitors had the opportunity to chat with a host of exhibitors, gain first-
hand advice from self-builders and watch panel discussions on the topic of the week: busting the myths of self-build. To coincide with National Custom and Self Build Week, the show launched the Self-Build Clinic, which was located within the Ask an Expert area and gave prospective builders the chance to get advice from NaCSBA members. Also at the show for the first time was the opportunity for visitors to watch
a live build taking place. Studio Bark created a home using the U-Build concept they developed with help from Structure Workshop and Cut and Construct. As well as being able to watch the progress, visitors also took part in assembling components that were used in the final build. Part of the concept is allowing self-builders to view the complete structure using ‘augmented reality’. Several other new features also launched at the show. These included the Upcycling Hub – a platform for upcycling designers to showcase their craft and pieces; the Under The Stairs Project – a competition which saw eight designers install an interior design showcasing different ways of utilising the space under the stairs; and Design Discovered – a showcase of six emerging design brands, chosen by Barbara Chandler, design editor of Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard. Each of these brands was given a bursary to enable them to tell their stories and exhibit at the show. As well as the new elements, the show also saw the return of Kevin’s Green Heroes, a showcase of the latest eco-friendly innovations for homes chosen by Kevin McCloud. Continuing the sustainability theme, Grand Designs Live also teamed up once again with charity Friends of the Earth, who launched the Green Finger Campaign, part of which included a Wildlife Forest exhibit – designed to show visitors how and where to create wildlife-friendly environments in whatever outdoor space they have available. On 9 May, Kevin McCloud was joined on the main stage by Housing Minister Kit Malthouse MP, where they discussed the housing crisis and explored how custom- and self-build can support the housing market’s sustainability goals. Malthouse commented: “In the projects of self-build that I have seen the sense of ownership and community that comes from self-build homes is incredible. Self-builders can choose to reduce bill costs in the long run by investing in eco-friendly and Passivhaus systems, which should in turn accelerate the movement towards reduction of carbon and use of fossil fuels in the housing market.” McCloud added: “I have always believed that self-build can deliver a better and greener build, with lower costs than anything the market can offer; but the general public see self-build as a scary, expensive, protracted and difficult undertaking.” He continued: “Grand Designs Live, along with National Custom and Self Build Week are helping to clarify the reality of self- build, alleviate the inevitable stress, show people just how much professional support there is out there and bust the myths surrounding this incredible opportunity to build a dream home.”
Availability and price of land remain key factors to future growth of self-build, says AMA Research
The latest self-build market report from AMA Research highlights the “strong disconnect” between the number of available sites and where people want to build.
It found that the number of applications for self-build projects in the home counties and the south west is “relatively large” compared to the number of available sites. In areas such as the Highlands, Northern Ireland and the north east, the number of sites available are “notably higher” when compared to the number of applications. Throughout the UK, there are “significant variations” in the level of self-build demand and available plots to facilitate this. The growth in house prices in the UK has enabled “mature” self-builders to self-fund projects through a number of means such as using savings, revenue from property sales, remortgages and other types of loans. However, council planning systems are being viewed as one of the biggest constraints for self-builders, for allocation and the granting of permission for smaller sites. Over the next four years, says AMA Research, the future prospects for the self-build market “remain positive but relatively modest”, with self-build volumes rising slowly. The company’s forecasting takes into consideration what it says are key drivers such as “lack of consumer confidence due to the uncertain economy, continuous constraints in the planning process and a relatively constrained mortgage market”. The information was taken from its ‘Self Build Housing Market Report UK 2018-2022’, which is available to purchase from the company’s website (
amaresearch.co.uk).
may/june 2019
www.sbhonline.co.uk 5
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