a issue 4 potton.co.uk flfi˛˛ˇ˘ country cottage … · case, gallery balustrades, newel posts...
TRANSCRIPT
MAIN IMAGE: JEREMY PHILLIPS / HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING
Modern
7CASE STUDIESInspiring
A
CottageCountry
Our Milchester Show Home
Makeover:
• DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • • DESIGN •
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
build beautiful
our build
beautiful
buildbeautiful
WITH POTTON
DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE
build beautiful
our build
beautiful
buildbeautiful
WITH POTTON
DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE
How TO
Finance a self-build Top
Plot Hunting
Pitfalls
REVEALED
2759
elcome to the 4th edition of our magazine build beautiful. In customary style it’s bigger and better than the previous
editions with more informative content, helpful signposts to sources of additional information and a brand new look – we hope you like it. If you’ve missed any of the previous three editions then they are all available to download from www.potton.co.uk/download
Last year our unique Self Build Show Centre celebrated it’s 25th birthday. In March this year, we will reopen our Queen Anne style rectory home, the Milchester, which has been restyled and redesigned by Gill Deeks, a previous Potton customer. Gill and her husband Barry built a rectory style property with us several years ago. Their home featured in the May 2014 issue of Self Build & Design magazine and was memorable for the fantastic interior that Gill created for their new home; I think she might have done a better job of our home than she did with her own!
Our show centre really is a must visit destination for anyone considering building their own home. There’s lots of information available and our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to advise, support and sustain you - with tea, coffee and biscuits. You can find out more about the show centre in the centrefold of the magazine. The centre is also home to the Self Build Academy so why not combine a visit with one of our seminars, workshops or networking sessions.
Avid readers of our previous editions will recall that I have been announcing a Custom Build revolution for some time now. It’s definitely on the way and our first homes at Graven Hill in Bicester will begin construction early in the New Year. We understand that opportunities like those available at Graven Hill will not suit everyone and indeed today, most of our customers find their own plots to build on. You can learn more inside this edition of the magazine about how to appraise the sites you find as your journey progresses and confirm that they are indeed building plots. The Self Build Academy provides even more support on this subject with it’s seminar How to find and appraise land – it’s one of our most popular events.
Finally, once you have secured planning permission, or even if you already have it you need to be confident that the build method you have selected will actually perform as claimed. You can learn inside about the extensive steps we have taken to ensure that our systems are safe and effective during construction and throughout their long service lives.
Why not make 2018 the year you finally get your build going.
WA message from Potton’s Self-Build Director - Paul Newman
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
elcomeW 03
Paul NewmanSelf-Build Director
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
Best Potton Home 2017Our search for the Best Potton Home has returned this year and 12 of our customers’ homes made the shortlist. We asked you all to vote for your favourite and over 500 of you visited the website to make your selection. The style of homes varied considerably as it always does but there was one clear winner taking nearly 30% of the overall votes.
2nd place: Pip and Steve Gunn’s boldly bespoke home in Peterborough followed in second place, you can read their story on pages 16-19.
3rd place: Simon and Bibby Towler’s home was awarded third place. Taking inspiration from one of the Potton show homes, their Wickhambrook barn in Cambridgeshire was recently finished to an extremely high specification. See pages 41-43.
Winner: Josh and Nathalie Cherry built this contemporary Potton home in Exeter. Josh had worked as a timber frame erector for several years, working on numerous Potton builds before he and his wife completed their first self-build. See more on page 50.
Fae PerkinsMarketing Manager
ContributorsEditor & Advertising Manager
Fae PerkinsAssociate Editor
Becky Cousins
Tom Allen Justin Barker
Becky Cousins Michael Holmes
Daisy Jeffery Terry Mahoney
Paul NewmanFae Perkins
Rachel PyneMark Stevenson Martyn Tharratt
Writers & Content Contributors
Like us on Facebook
Keep In Touch
Follow us on Twitter
Find us on Pinterest
Follow us on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Find us on Houzz AS V
OTED FOR BY YOU
! AS VOTED FOR BY YO
U!
POTTON HOMEBESTAWARD
Budget Guide with example
build costs
Potton Ideas Books: Over
100 designs andfloorplans to inspire your new home
Inspiring Case Studies: See
inside our customers’
homes
How To Guides: Each stage of the self-build
process explained
Back issues: buildbeautiful
magazine
POTTON HEAD OFFICE Eltisley Road, Great Gransden, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 3ARTel: 01767 676400 Email: [email protected] Website: www.potton.co.uk
Knowing where to start can be confusing
Start your self-build journey with a wealth of information to ensure you get off on the right foot. You can read, download and save all the above material.
inside the Potton LibraryTake comfort
Visit www.potton.co.uk/download
BuildItIn assocIatIon wIth
Beginner’s guide to
SELF BUILD
Self Build
Academy
How To Guides:
the self-build
Buil
SELF BUI
100 designs and
Studies:inside our
customers’
with example build costsPackage content
Heritage/Barn Rectory
Shire Renaissance BungalowBespoke
Timber Frame Superstructure – Erected by Potton
Damp proof course to sole plates
••
••
••
Sole plates and fixing nails
••
••
••
Structural posts and beams
•x
x•
••
Metal feature plates, bolts and screws
•x
x•
••
Mitek Posi-Joist open web engineered floor joists
••
••
••
18mm plywood floor decking
••
••
••
Logic Plus wall system - 140mm external panels fitted with 120mm Kingspan Kooltherm rigid
insulation, low emissivity internal vapour barrier and battens
••
••
••
Ground and first floor internal partition walls
••
••
••
Dormer window packs
••
••
••
Attic trusses and bracing
x•
••
••
Roof trusses and bracing
••
••
••
Rafters, gable ladders, tilting fillet and sprockets
••
••
••
Eaves soffit plywood and bargeboard
•x
••
••
Nails, bolts, screws and glue for superstructure
••
••
••
Timber Frame Superstructure + Full Insulation Pack - Supply Only
Timber noggins to accept plasterboard
••
••
••
Timber noggins to provide solid fixings for kitchen units etc
••
••
••
Flat eaves soffit and fascia board
x•
•x
••
External feature timbers and fixing battens
•x
••
••
Roof lights
••
••
••
Roof void access doors
•x
xx
••
Ceiling access hatch
••
••
••
Hip and valley feature capping timbers
•x
xx
x•
External Joinery OptionsSoftwood pre-glazed, pre-finished windows and doors including site installation
••
••
••
Aluminium/softwood composite windows and doors including site installation
•x
••
••
Aluminium windows and doors including site installation
xx
••
••
Oak pre-glazed, pre-finished windows and doors including site installation
••
••
••
Fully finished UPVC windows and doors including site installation
••
••
••
Internal Finishing Components - Supply OnlyStaircase, gallery balustrades, newel posts and handrails
••
••
••
Tongued and grooved boarding to stair soffit
•x
•x
••
Understairs door
••
•x
••
Internal door sets
••
••
••
Heritage ledged and framed internal doors complete with Suffolk latches
•x
•x
••
Regency panelled internal doors complete with ironmongery
x•
•x
••
Timber skirting board
••
••
••
Oak stairs, door sets and skirting
••
••
••
Key: • included • extra cost option • where applicable x not available/applicable
B E A U T I F U L L Y T A I L O R E D
Let Potton provide the comfort blanket for your self-build
new home
1434
22
16
27
44
Case Studies09 ANDREW & TONI LEESE The Modern Country Cottage
16 PIP AND STEVE GUNN Boldly Bespoke
39 SIMON & CAROLE MURPHY Out of the Blue
41 SIMON & BIBBY TOWLER Not bad for a Trial Run
48 DAVID & LESLEY LENNOX An Opportunity Beneath the Brambles
52 NIKKI SCRIVENS New Beginnings
54 DENNIS & MAUREEN STEPHENS A Local Move
Information & Education06 INDUSTRY NEWS NaCSBA Chair, Michael Holmes
offers a self-build round-up
07 SELF-BUILD IN NUMBERS Are you an average self-builder?
14 WE’RE GOING ON A PLOT HUNT Mark Stevenson reveals his top 7 plot hunting pitfalls
37 HOW TO FUND A SELF-BUILD BuildStore explains finance options
available to self-builders
44 WE KNOW WE PERFORM Exploring the performance of our timber frame and SIP build systems
53 PROJECT MANAGEMENT Managing the build of your Potton home – Do as much or as little as you want
58 TOP TIPS We’ve gathered tips and advice to help
prepare you for your self-build
59 SELF BUILD ACADEMY™ Explore the range of courses on offer and claim your academy free pass
Special Features22 BEAUTY & THE BARN An eclectic mix of beautiful Potton barns from across the UK
24 GRAVEN HILL It’s being built and they are coming…
26 WHAT’S TIMBER AND WHAT’S NOT Guess which are timber frame?
04 05
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
In This Issue...About Us12 WORKING WITH POTTON An explanation of our design,
planning and build services
20 PLANNING PERMISSION – SETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT And how not to let the planning process turn you into an emotional wreck
27 POTTON SELF-BUILD SHOW CENTRE Celebrating 25 years of inspiring self-builders
34 A MAKEOVER FOR THE MILCHESTER Bringing one of our much-loved show homes up to date for 2018
50 WORKING WITH SMALL DEVELOPERS How Potton supports those building on a larger scale
05
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
09COVER STORY
51 ndustry n
Self BuildNI umbers
SOURCE: Homebuilding & Renovating Self & Custom Build Market Report 2017
For more information visit www.homebuilding.co.uk/market-report
ewssk anyone who has built their own
home and they will tell you that
there are few things in life more
satisfying or rewarding, so it’s perhaps no
surprise that self-build is an ambition shared
by over half of the UK’s adult population.
Yet despite this enormous level of interest
inspired by TV shows, magazines, exhibitions
and places like Potton’s Show Centre – now
in its 25th year – fewer than 7% of new homes
in the UK are designed, built or commissioned
by the people who will live in them. This is
well below the average of 39% across the
developed world, where self-build is well
established as a mainstream housing choice.
So why is it that the UK, so often ahead of the
game in terms of innovation and creativity,
is the outlier when it comes to something as
intrinsically simple as offering choice when
it comes to buying a home? The answer, as
quickly discovered by the million or so people
who each year set out with ambitions to self-
build, is a lack of serviced plots with planning
permission.
Affordable building plots for sale in places
people want to live, are few and far between
thanks to a planning system designed to
prioritise the delivery of large scale housing
estates. This plays out in a number of ways:
most of the 13,000 people who built their own home in 2016 did
so by buying and replacing an existing house.
Many of those who couldn’t find land
bought a project instead, turning a small,
run-down house in a good location into
the home of their dreams through extension
and renovation.
Neither outcome does much to alleviate the
nation’s shortage of affordable homes by
adding to the net housing stock. It also means
that in most parts of the country, you have to
be pretty well-off to be able to afford to build
your own home: as you can see from research
by Homebuilding & Renovating magazine
on the opposite page ‘Self-Build in Numbers’
the typical self-builder is currently a wealthy
couple, aged in their early fifties.
Thanks to the work of the National Custom
and Self-Build Association of which Potton is a
founder member, there is some good news in
all of this – Government in England, Scotland
and Wales have all realised that relying entirely
upon the private sector to supply enough
new homes to meet demand and keep house
prices affordable, is never going to work. There
is too little competition and too little supply to
ever drive down prices, or drive up quality. The
Government’s response to this broken market
is to encourage alternatives, and this includes
creating more opportunities for people to
build their own home both through self-build,
and through custom build for those who want
individual design but would prefer to leave the
build side to a developer.
The Government in England has led the
way on this, with its landmark Right to Build
legislation that requires all local authorities to
keep a register of individuals and groups of
individuals who want to build their own home,
and a legal duty to grant planning permission
for sufficient serviced plots to meet that
demand. To find your council’s register, visit
www.RightToBuildPortal.org where you can
also find out how many others have signed up.
For details of all of the plots available for sale
in your area visit plotfinder.net/
Providing enough people sign up to the
registers, councils will be forced to identify
small sites and either create and sell-off
plots themselves, or work with developers,
landowners, housing associations and others
to bring serviced plots to market.
Since its launch on April 1st, 2016, nearly
35,000 people have signed up to the Right to
Build Registers and now local authorities have
three years to grant enough permissions to
meet this demand and this number will grow
as more people register.
The result is a 32% increase in the number of
individual plots granted planning permission
across the UK, to 20,000, in the 12 months to
October 31st, 2017. There are also many more
plots being permissioned on larger custom
build sites, such as the 1,900 plot site at Graven
Hill, near Bicester, Oxfordshire (read more on
page 24-25).
There is a parallel desire to create more
opportunities for people to build their own
home in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Together with NaCSBA’s work to ensure
mortgages are available without the need for
a huge deposit, we finally really are on the way
to making self-build an option for the many
and not just the few.
Michael HolmesChair National Custom and Self-Build Association
By Michael Holmes, Chair of the National Custom and Self-Build Association.
A
Since its launch on April 1st, 2016, nearly 35,000 people have signed up to the Right to Build Registers and now local authorities have three years to grant enough permissions to meet this demand and this number will grow as more people register.
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
Is the average age of a self-builder
£50,000-59,000
Is the average household
income of a UK self-builder
Is the average uplift self-builders enjoy on their projects
29%£305,943
average total build cost 5
average cost of plot compared to build cost
average floor size of self-
build home
£220,573- average plot spend -
average cost of plot compared to end value
UK self-builds in 2016
12,800
the average age of a self-builder is 5 years older than it was in 2007
m2247
average build cost for UK self-builders£1,284m2
+
33%
78 %
IN06 07
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
Looking to find out more about self-build?
Attend our free Introduction to Self Build seminar held bi-monthly at the Potton Self Build Show
Centre. For information and to book visit www.selfbuildacademy.co.uk
ountryThe Modern CC ottage
01CASE STUDY 01
Andrew and Toni Leese built a stunning Cotswold stone home in Wiltshire
T IM
BER WINDOWS
& D O O R S
08 09
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
BEAUTIFULLY TAILORED
MAIN IMAGE: JEREMY PHILLIPS / HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING
Modern
7CASE STUDIESInspiring
A
CottageCountry
Our Milchester
Show HomeMakeover.
• DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • • DESIGN •
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
build beautiful
our build
beautiful
buildbeautiful
WITH POTTON
DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE
build beautiful
our build
beautiful
buildbeautiful
WITH POTTON
DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE build beautiful
our build
beautiful
buildbeautiful
WITH POTTON
DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE
build beautiful
our build
beautiful
buildbeautiful
WITH POTTON
DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE
How TO
Finance a self-build
Top Plot
Hunting
Pitfalls
REV
EALED
As featured On theCover
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Visit heatingasitshouldbe.co.uk
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GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOOR
Floorplans
aving always dreamt of building their own home, Andrew and Toni Leese decided the time was right
to search for a plot following 16 years of living in a detached estate house. “We’d found an old police station on Rightmove which was being sold as a development plot for two houses,” begins Toni. “It came with outline planning; however, none of the neighbours wanted houses on the plot.”
“Originally we had wanted to build a Georgian-style farmhouse but, given the site’s Conservation Area status, the planners dictated that we had to opt for a Cotswold stone property, so we spent the best part of 12 months trying to create a design which was right for us but also fitted within the street scene.”
After researching different build routes with a view to achieving as efficient a home as possible, the couple came across Potton at the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC in Birmingham. “Although we spoke to other timber frame companies to get prices, we felt Potton was more established and we went to their show centre in Cambridgeshire to see fully finished Potton show homes. We also liked that the design and build package route meant we would be watertight within two weeks,” says Andrew.
Planning PermissionFrom the start, Andrew and Toni made a scrapbook of the things they wanted, which included an open plan kitchen, a dressing room, space for when family visit, and a separate living room. The couple worked with Potton to create a design
and, despite the sensitive location, the couple decided against seeking pre-app advice.
“We felt that planning is too subjective and based on individual opinion,” said Andrew. “Instead, we submitted an application for our original plan for a Georgian farmhouse and had the planners visit the site so we could explain our ideas. They said ‘no’ to this design, in preference to a Cotswold cottage with gables to the front. They also rejected the 12-bar sash windows – even though they featured on a Georgian farmhouse down the road – and told us we’d have to have four-bar windows.”
Once permission was in place, Andrew and Toni had sold their previous home and moved into a caravan on a friend’s farm nearby while building work was underway.
The BuildWhile Potton provided the structural shell, the couple employed a local contractor to complete the groundworks and finish the build. “We found our main contractor, Adam from Mirus Construction, through the chap who supplied the Cotswold stone from Farmington Quarry. We went along to see some of the houses he’d built and we liked that he was moving more towards timber frame construction,” says Andrew.
Andrew and Toni had never built a house before and both work full time, so they surrounded themselves with a great team who they could rely on. “We were on site every day after work to inspect progress. As we were taking on some of the work ourselves, this helped us be more engaged with the project too.”
Having worked as an electrical engineer, Andrew was keen to get involved and, along with Toni, took on the plumbing, dry walling, tiling and decorating themselves. With Potton building the frame to watertight stage, builder Adam then handled the stone work and windows and laid the screed.
Building an energy efficient home – and minimising energy bills – was a key priority for the couple. “When we came to the village we realised there was no mains gas and our friend’s energy bills here were horrendous,” says Andrew.
“Because of the large plot, we wanted to install a ground source heat pump with underfloor heating laid throughout the house. Our energy bills are now £75 a month and we get £100 back a month from Renewable Heat Incentive payments. We had to pay £15,000 upfront for the heating system but, in the end, it’s worth the investment.”
Despite the year spent reworking the design, the end result is a Cotswold stone home which is fitting for its location, with the internal fixtures and fittings all sourced from local suppliers. “That was important to us,” says Toni.
“It was a really good experience,” says Andrew of the couple’s first self-build venture. “There’s nothing that would put me off doing it again and equally there’s nothing we’d change.”
“Although we spoke to other timber frame companies to get prices, we felt Potton was more established and we went to
their show centre in Cambridgeshire to see fully finished Potton show homes. We also liked that the design and build
package build route meant we would be watertight within two weeks,”H
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
10 1101CASE STUDY 01
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
Location: Wiltshire
Land cost: £262,000
Build cost: £316,000
Current value: £725,000
Floor area: 230m2 / 2476 sq ft
Project Facts
All figures correct at time of collecting data
It was a really good experience. There’s nothing that would put me off doing it again and equally there’s
nothing we’d change.
Words: Daisy Jeffery Photography: Jeremy Phillips
Watch the video at Potton.co.uk/
videos
Our systems are manufactured/ fabricated in our own factory
We are often described by self-build magazines as a ‘Package Company’ and whilst I bristle with irritation at the term I also acknowledge that it is usefully descriptive because in essence we provide our customers with a package of services and products that help them construct their new home.
At this point it’s probably helpful to try and explain what we do at each stage in a bit more detail.
Bespoke ArchitectureIn 2017 well over half of the houses we designed were completely bespoke. The remainder of our customers will have taken something that we have designed previously as a starting point and then developed a
unique version of it from there. In 2018 and beyond, I expect that even more of our work will be completely bespoke; the days of customers selecting designs from a catalogue are well and truly drawing to a close.
By all means, take inspiration from our previous work but there is no need to be constrained by what we’ve done in the past – we’re certainly not. Of course if you’ve fallen in love with one of our show homes and it works on your plot – then go for it.
Creating a Design Brief Perhaps surprisingly, one of the things we really struggle with is getting customers to produce a clearly articulated design brief. At the moment, I find that a prioritised bullet pointed list that runs from “must have” through “we’d really like” to “it would be nice if” works very well alongside simple bubble diagrams showing how you’d like us to link and configure spaces along with a few photographs of other houses and features you like. It’s worth noting that if you start drawing for us then you’ll get back a
I guess like many businesses, we are frequently asked by potential customers “What do you actually do?” Also, I suspect like others we think it’s obvious what we do! Apparently, it’s not and inevitably, we’re too close to see the wood for the trees.
At its core, what we do really is rather simple: • We design houses for our customers, make planning applications for them and normally secure permission.
• We prepare and submit Building Regulation applications and then take the design forward to a point where we can manufacture the customers’ chosen timber building system.
• We supply a package of products including the building superstructure, windows, doors, stairs, joinery and a whole house insulation pack.
refined and regulatory compliant version of what you’ve given us – so, my advice is to try to resist the temptation.
Building ControlThe information that we provide to Building Control is comprehensive and includes everything that they need to give a plan check approval except for the design of the foundations and ground floor structure. We have well-trodden paths to external consultants who have designed foundations for literally thousands of Potton customers over the years and a wonderful partnership arrangement with our Local Authority Building Control which streamlines the checking and inspection process wherever your site is in the country.
Our Build Systems ExplainedThe timber frame (Kingspan Logic+ / Kingspan Ultima™) and structural insulated panel (Kingspan TEK®) systems we provide to our customers have excellent sustainability credentials and unrivalled thermal characteristics because of the high performance Kingspan insulation products they utilise. Our systems are manufactured/fabricated in our own factory and where appropriate are tested and/or certified by independent external
agencies. See article on Proving our Performance for more information on our building systems (p44-45).
We always construct the building structure that we have manufactured and if we supply windows and external doors then we fit these as well. The insulation pack and internal joinery items are supply only, because of construction process phasing and because their installation is within the competency of most site teams. However, in situations where the staircase design looks particularly complex we will fit that as well.
Building & Project ManagementWe are not builders and do not directly provide a complete construction service. However, we have a network of independent Project Managers and Main Contractors who have worked with us and our customers previously, in many cases for a long time and are happy to provide introductions to them if their services might be of interest. About 40% of our customers decide to manage the build themselves and we provide a comprehensive guide and training course, along with the support of a Contracts Manager, to help them
deliver and complete a safe, cost effective and good quality build. We also maintain a list of sub-contractors recommended by previous Potton customers.
So, in essence, we’re an architectural design and planning practice linked to a manufacturing facility that provides a range of third party construction and installation services and signposts our customers to products and services provided by others. SIMPLES.
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
w orkingotton...with
By Paul Newman
12 13
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
Download our
IDEAS BOOK
from www .potton.co.uk/dow
nloa
d
Work with us…If you have a building plot
and want to find out more about our design and
planning services then please email [email protected] or
call 01767 676400 and we’d be delighted to discuss your self-
build project in more detail.
a prioritised bullet pointed list that runs from ‘must have’ through ‘we’d really like’ to ‘it would be nice if ’ works very
well alongside simple bubble diagrams showing how you’d like us to link and configure
spaces along with a few photographs of other houses
and features you like
About 40% of our customers decide
to manage the build themselves and we provide a
comprehensive guide and training course, along with
the support of a Contracts Manager
Good news is that most problems in the ground are resolvable but unfortunately at a cost. The trick is to find out what the ‘surprises’ are before you agree a purchase price as any additional expense should be discounted from the cost of the land. Employ an engineer to carry out a ground investigation and dig a hole to find out if problems are lurking below the surface.
Mains servicesIssues with services come in two forms – when you want them but can’t get them and when you have them but don’t want them!
Confused? Let me explain.
Mains services such as drainage, gas, water, electric and telecoms are preferred and the cost of providing the connections can wildly vary depending on what’s involved. Make sure you understand which services are needed and how much they cost to install and connect.
Connection costs are not the only problem when it comes to services. Land is a bit like a second hand home that has had its wiring and plumbing fiddled with over many years – you just don’t quite know where all the pipes and cable runs are and Sod’s law states one will be just where you don’t want it to be. It is a common occurrence, particularly on brownfield plots, to find existing services in the way of your proposed foundations. At best, additional cost may be incurred if the service has to be diverted but at worst an existing service could even prevent a plot being developed.
BoundariesProblems with site boundaries don’t always arise as you would expect. There is always the potential for disputes with
neighbours but there is also a risk that the boundary position might not quite be as the land registry plan shows and this may impact on your development in unexpected ways!
For example, your approved design may need to be offset a certain distance from theboundary and if this boundary is out of place and the dimension is used to set out the build, you could find your home is in the wrong place.
Equally as serious, but possibly less catastrophic, is the potential of buying a site that in reality is a different shape and size to the title plan. Such a situation is resolvable but the time and money involved is not an appealing prospect.
EcologyIn some ways this brings us right back to bear hunting and bear traps - Flora and Fauna may look
pretty or even cuddly but on occasions it has been known to bite – especially when it has protected status.
Despite the fact that we have a housing crisis and 98% of the UK’s land mass is ‘green’, lawand policy require us to protect and safeguard ecology even at the expense of housingneeds. I advise a health warning on all things ecology and suggest that you do your research and have a plan for managing this on your site.
MoneyAs self-build guru David Snell repeats, like a parrot, everything starts with money! How much do you have, how much do you need and what will it be worth when it’s all done?
Working out what you have is fairly straightforward – the bank manager will tell you. Finding out what you need is much more difficult and will be influenced not only by the outcome of your plot appraisal but also by what you want to build. How big will it be? What’s the method of
design; Package or Architect? Route of build? Self-managed, project-managed or turnkey builder (each progressively more expensive). In terms of what your finished home will be worth, as a Yorkshireman this is always on my mind and serves as a useful safety net. Self-builders should be mindful of the financial outcome by understanding the financial consequences of their proposals and decisions.
PlanningWhen is a plot not a plot…..when it doesn’t have planning permission! Planning is critical to unlocking the potential of a piece of land and the ability to secure this permission will drive the value of both the plot and your finished home.
Understanding planning potential is not something you can do as a part-time occupation, always employ planning professionals such as Potton to work out what’s possible and secure the necessary approval and never buy a plot without planning permission first being secured.
Site accessDon’t overlook plot access, ideally it should be owned (not shared) and should be directly off of an adopted highway. Anything short of this should be reviewed by a solicitor to ensure ‘bear traps’ such as ransom strips and visibility splays
don’t occur after your plot purchase has been finalised.
Ground conditions - look out for surprisesI often think about the first shovel in the ground as being a bit like Christmas – there is always likely to be a surprise you didn’t expect (and probably won’t like) and it always costs more than you planned.
Plot hunting and bear hunting are surprisingly similar. The scarcity of what you’re looking for can be hellishly frustrating and when you finally find one, you face many dangers – how do you catch it, what do you do with it, and how do you avoid those bear traps that seem to be set to catch you out?
Find & Appraise a PlotHow to
One Day Course
Don’t despairI delve deeper into each of the above topics in a handy Land Appraisal E-Guide.
Download your free land appraisal guide at www.potton.co.uk/download
Why not attend our one-day course for the answers to all
your plot questions
Avoiding bear traps To the trained eye, or rather one with the experience of a thousand cuts, the question of avoiding traps is fairly straightforward – take a methodical approach to plot appraisal, asking a thousand and one questions and never ever assume you know the answers.
What are the key questions when appraising a plot?This is the million dollar question and one that professional builders are surprisingly good at figuring out - mainly because they have the experience. For a self-builder who will probably only ever build once, you won’t have the benefit of this experience and therefore plot appraisal can feel particularly challenging and risky.
Whilst it’s not possible to cover all possible questions within an article, I can recommend following a methodical approach and here are my top seven places to look for ‘bear traps’:
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
We’re Going on a Plot Hunt a n d w e ’ r e g o i n g t o f i n d a b i g o n e !
By Mark Stevenson
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There is a risk that the boundary position might not quite be as the land registry plan shows and this may impact on your development in unexpected ways!
Mains services such as drainage, gas, water, electric and telecoms are preferred and the cost of providing the connections can wildly vary depending on what’s involved.
Find your academy
FREE PASS
on page 59.
Visit www.selfbuildacademy.co.uk for dates and to book
From our initial meeting with our Self Build Consultant through to the planning process, there were
no queries left unanswered
ip and Steve decided to self-build as they wanted a home which would deliver better value for money whilst allowing them to explore their strong design ideas.
The couple had been living in Surrey for 22 years in a three-storey townhouse and were used to ‘vertical living’. Pip, a retired PE teacher, and Steve, a Rowing coach, had been considering the idea of self-building for many years but it only became a realistic proposition when the timing was right to move away from the area where they’d raised their two daughters.
The couple were flexible as to where they might move to which made plot hunting easier as they could consider anything of potential interest.
“We found the 0.29 acre plot by searching online and it took several
months. We knew we would have to move out of London as plots with planning there were way beyond our budget” said Steve.
Pip and Steve had initially planned a fairly traditional exterior with open spaces internally; however, the local council stipulated that a self-build in their area had to be one of a contemporary nature.
The land in Peterborough which they eventually purchased in January 2016 was part of a large settlement that had been put together by various property developers. “The local city council specified there had to be an allocation of plots for self-builders,” Pip explains, “so our entire street is made up of self-build houses of various designs”. We had some ideas about how we wanted the house to work for us and how we wanted it to look”.
The couple wanted open spaces in the living areas and were influenced by mountain lodges and barns typical to houses in New Zealand where Pip grew up. The south-facing aspects of this house delivers plenty of solar input keeping the family warm.
Pip first saw a Potton self-build house at a home show in the 1980’s so was aware of their existence. Some thirty years on, husband Steve visited the Potton Show Centre in St Neots and was impressed with the quality of the show homes. The couple then attended a Potton Self Build seminar in Oxfordshire where they chatted to Paul Newman, Self Build Director, and decided Potton would be the company they would work with. “Potton offer a bespoke design service that attracted us, it incorporated the planning service for what seemed a reasonable price” said Steve.
The couple met with Potton Self-build Consultant, Mark Day, who took away their ideas and worked with architect Vicky Corbett to finalise the design. The exterior is reminiscent of a contemporary barn, with
“As an active, outdoorsy couple with a grown-up family, the brief was to create a light and airy home with a simple, flowing form.”
a double-height entrance leading into open spaces and plenty of outdoor living areas. Knowing the couple’s love of being outdoors, Potton architect Vicky devised a house which would reflect the couple’s various interests and could accommodate visiting friends and family. “Pip and Steve were very enthusiastic about contemporary design and their detailed brief really helped me as a designer and made the whole process a pleasure,” commented Vicky. The property boasts three bedrooms with the master suite situated on the ground floor, complete with ensuite and dressing room. The impressive open-plan living room boasts a vaulted ceiling overlooked by a gallery landing. The living space was devised to ensure Pip and Steve were able to enjoy views of the rear garden through large sections of glass and the site orientation was the driving force behind the design.
“We plan to eat out on the porch or balcony during warm weather and then enjoy the sun setting in the afternoon over the view of Hampton Reserve, which is a beautiful natural parkland of 300 acres,” says Pip.
Initially planning a fairly traditional exterior, Pip and Steve Gunn now have a striking contemporary design to call home.
P
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A Taste Of New Zealand In The UK
oldly Bespoke B16 1702CASE STUDY 02
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Location: Peterborough
Land cost: £155,000 Build cost: £365,000 Current value: £575,000 approx.
Floor area: 200m2 / 2153 sq ft
Project Facts
All figures correct at time of collecting data
Most memorable
moment of the build?
“Seeing the 3D plans of
the house projected
on screen at the Potton
office!”
You may recall this house at design stage, featured in issue 3!3As seen
in issue 3
‘Photography by Maciek Platek’
02CASE STUDY 02
The planning approval went through smoothly and was approved with some minor conditions attached which didn’t cause any difficulties on site.“We had several more visits to the show homes to look around and attend the helpful seminars, Denise and co were always welcoming and helpful”.
The 200 square metre home is constructed using the Kingspan Logic+ build system and incorporates Kingspan Kooltherm® insulation throughout.
Pip and Steve decided to work with a builder, GPML, employing them to look after the project on their behalf. Pip decided they’d employ
a tiler and decorator themselves as local prices were significantly cheaper than prices quoted by the London-based builder. The fireplace situated in the open-plan living area was also sourced from a local company.
The couple have said they would certainly consider self-building again and would know which questions to ask as well as planning mains services into the build much earlier next time around.
To access the floor plans visit www.potton.co.uk/gunn
“Potton offer a bespoke design service that attracted us, it incorporated the planning service for what seemed a reasonable price”
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Watch the video at Potton.co.uk/
videos
FREE Planning Appraisal is it a plot or not? If you are looking to work with Potton to design your home then we can offer a complimentary appraisal of your plot to clarify its opportunities and any constraints. Visit www.potton.co.uk/freeappraisal and complete the online form.
For an appraisal of your plot visit potton.co.uk/freeappraisal
etting off on the ight foot
M any aspects of the self-build
process can seem daunting and
confusing: How do I find and
buy land? Who do I talk to about
borrowing money? What is the right way for
me to get my new home designed and built?
Will I get planning permission? The reality
is that they’re not if you break each of them
down into manageable chunks and address
them at the correct stage of the process.
Securing planning permission cannot be
isolated from other parts of the build as it runs
as a thread through the process from before
the land is purchased until at least all of the
planning conditions have been discharged.
Potton’s Self Build Academy provides support
to self-builders at an early stage of the journey
and two of the core seminars (‘How to Find &
Appraise a Plot’ and ‘Design Process Explained’)
consider the planning process and help self-
builders understand what can and cannot be
achieved with the plots of land that they
have found.
There is no point in buying fields or paddocks
in open countryside where permission will
not be granted and there is no point in us
designing homes for locations where an
application will not be successful. Potton
provides a free appraisal facility for those
planning to use our Design & Planning
service and before we take an instruction
from any customer we want to be confident
that both we and our customers understand
the risks in the process and the likelihood of
securing permission for the type of design that
the customer wants.
Understanding PolicyEach Planning Authority has its own set of
policy documents that have been developed
following guidance given in the National
Planning Policy Framework and to reflect local
circumstances. Policies follow a consistent
structure and are published on Planning
Authority websites; though there is a bit of a
knack to finding and navigating them. Planning
is fundamentally a process driven by policy.
If the scheme you propose to bring forward
follows the policies then permission is likely to
be forthcoming; if it doesn’t then it won’t and
this should not be a surprise. There are grey
areas and sometimes it is worthwhile making
a request to the authority for pre-application
advice, not every authority offer this facility
and therefore, our appraisals consider the
applicable policies and how they might be
addressed bearing in mind the requirements
of the authority and the customer. Sometimes,
even if permission might in theory be granted
on the site (ie. it is a viable building plot), if the
customer is not prepared to compromise on
style, scale and positioning then the scheme
won’t address the policy requirements and
permission won’t be granted. This can be
where planning turns from a policy driven
process into an emotionally driven one. Policy
is there to guide, support and protect, not to
be continuously fought against so work with
it, use it to your advantage where possible
and don’t fight against it - because it won’t
help your blood pressure and your chances
of winning are slim! Every site is unique and
therefore so is every appraisal.
Amongst other things, our appraisals always consider:• the sustainability of the plot location
• the risk of flooding
• whether it’s in a conservation area or area
of outstanding natural beauty
We will also consider the style, scale and
positioning of surrounding properties and
what type of design the customer proposes.
For replacement dwellings we will establish
what the policy requirements allow in terms
of increase in scale; policies vary in this regard
so what might be achievable with one local
authority may not be acceptable elsewhere.
Ultimately, we are trying to answer 3 fairly simple questions1. Will we get planning permission?
2. What will we get planning permission for?
3. Are there any special steps we will need to take to gain the permission?
If we get the initial appraisal right and the
customer agrees with the approach set out,
we set off with a clear plan and our eyes wide
open to the risks and pitfalls proceeding as
follows:
• Undertake a topographical survey to
determine site levels, position and levels of
existing and adjacent properties
• Commission site surveys as required (Flood
risk assessment, arboriculture surveys,
ecological survey, contaminated land,
archaeological etc.)
• Design your new home so that it suits you,
your family, the planners, the site and its
surroundings
• Prepare the necessary documents (Design
& Access Statement, Heritage Statements
etc.)
• Submit the application and wait, keeping
in touch with the planning authority
responding quickly to requests for further
information
• Negotiate professionally when requests for
design changes are received
• Wait for a positive decision
And relax…
To avoid wasting time and money, the ability to
secure planning permission is something that needs to
be considered in some detail via an appraisal before any
commitment to purchase a plot of land is entered into.
Our customers came to us after purchasing a bungalow
which they wished to demolish and replace. Unfortunately,
they had not realised the site was outside the settlement
boundary and therefore the policy that applied was for
replacement dwellings in open countryside. This policy allows
a 50% increase in footprint subject to the existing property not
having been extended since 1985. Unfortunately, the existing
bungalow was extended in 2010. The design we created was
some 20% larger than should have been allowed, however,
much of the additional accommodation was provided within
the roof space and so the overall increase in massing of the
property was minimal. The increase in size was agreed with
the local authority and the design received permission.
Plot in Avon
Our customers were gifted a piece of land by a relative. The village has
no discernible settlement boundary so any new development is classed
as being in open countryside. However, a specific policy within the
local plan supports residential development within smaller settlements
subject to the scheme meeting a small number of technical and design
related criteria which the plot and our proposed design did. Despite
significant local objection, the project secured permission because it
satisfied the requirements of the policy.
Plot in Devon
Our customers really liked a previous Potton design, the Ruskin, but required
a much larger property. The planning authority considered that the design we
had submitted was too bulky, particularly from the sides, and wanted the overall
footprint reduced. The Potton team negotiated with the planners and modified
the design by adding hips to the roofscape and changing the external cladding
to ‘soften’ the visual impact without losing any floor area. Both the client and the
planners were happy and planning permission was granted.
Plot in Leicestershire
And how not to let the planning process turn you into an emotional wreck…
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By Tom Allen
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Planning Permission -
Submit your plot
for a free appraisal
Visit our Wickhambrook BarnWhy not visit the Potton Show Centre and browse our
Wickhambrook Barn for inspiration. The contemporary show home boasts 2,300 square
feet of living space including a media room, open plan kitchen/diner and impressive
vaulted ceilings. www.potton.co.uk/showhomes All values correct at time of collecting data.
Graham Lock & Bridget Howland lived in a tired 1960s bungalow on a lovely plot of land, so it seemed the
obvious option for them to knock it down and build something they
really wanted. The couple looked at several different companies online, but
decided on Potton. “We knew of a couple of Potton builds and they came highly recommended”
said Bridget.
Shortlisted for a Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Award, this barn sits in a picturesque setting.
Chris & Ellis Davies built their dream barn in Bedfordshire after purchasing land from Chris’ father. There used to be a small worker’s cottage on the plot which was subsequently demolished to make way for the new Potton barn. The property was featured on More4 Building the Dream.
This stunning barn on an idyllic plot was the cover image for our last issue of buildbeautiful. Brian & Loveday Ellis built a mirror image of Potton’s Wickhambrook Barn. Beautifully finished with flint and stone, this house was built to a high specification.
Crowned winner of Best self-build for under £250k at the 2017 Build It Awards, this modest barn is home to Eric and Jean Sawyer. This barn represents outstanding value for money and proves self-build is not just for the wealthy few but achievable on all budgets.
Simon & Bibby Towler built this impressive Wickhambrook barn in Cambridgeshire
and described it as their ‘trial run’ before planning to move on to build again. I think
you’d agree they’ve done a great job.
Read the full case study on
pages 41-43.
Steve and Sue Kibble built their 2,300 sq ft barn in an orchard attached to their previous home. After considering self-build for 10 years they decided to build a house with minimum running costs ready for their retirement. The couple chose Potton as previously built designs fitted their brief and provided them with a good starting point.
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ANDTHE
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Location: Surrey
Land cost: £225,000 (including existing bungalow)
Build cost: £300,000
Value: £625,000
Project Facts
Location: Bedfordshire Land cost: £240,000 Build cost: £260,000 Value: £800,000
Project Facts
Location: Hampshire
Land cost: £525,000 (including existing bungalow)
Build cost: £759,000
Value: £1.5 -£ 1.7m
Project Facts
Location: Cambridgeshire
Land cost: £340,000
Build cost: £1,600 / m2
Value: £1.3m
Project Facts
Location: Kent
Land cost: £480,000 (including service connections
Build cost: £490,000
Value: £1.45m
Project FactsLocation: Oxfordshire
Land cost: £5,000 purchased in 1990 (Neighbouring garden)
Build cost: £234,000
Value: £500,000
Project Facts
Location: Cornwall Land cost: Already owned but plot valued at £200,000
Build cost: £450,000
Value: £675,000
Project Facts
Watch the video at Potton.co.uk/
videos
Graven Hill
Interested in building a
Potton home at Graven Hill?
Contact us on 01767 676400 or visit
www.potton.co.uk/gravenhill
T wo years ago I wrote an article for a trade publication, mentioning one of my favourite films, expounding my views on the status of the self and custom housebuilding industry in
the UK…and got very excited about a very large, revolutionary self and custom build scheme that, for nearly 2,000 families, would solve the age old problem of not having a plot to build on. Today, our collective desire to self-build has been recognised and supported with legislation and the large scheme, Graven Hill in Bicester, is now a reality.
Once completed Graven Hill will be the UK’s largest self and custom-build development. The scheme, which is arranged around a wooded hill, is one of the largest of its type in Europe and provides a broad range of opportunities – from smaller, modestly priced plots suitable for starter and affordable homes, through to larger detached houses and apartment blocks. In each case customers are able to construct their own homes, choose from a range of tailored finishes or purchase a completed shell which they can then complete. The project was initiated by Cherwell District Council, who were keen to accelerate the overall rate of local housing delivery and believed that a self/custom build approach could help do this.
The Graven Hill site was previously a large ordnance facility, operated by the MoD and when it became apparent that much of the site was no longer required, the MoD offered it for sale for redevelopment as residential land. Rules that restrict the ability of councils to trade commercially meant that the council had to create a holding company and a development company to bring the scheme forward.
The development company has arranged for the infrastructure works to be completed so that plots can be sold to individual self-builders. The council doesn’t intend selling sections of the site to custom build developers or housebuilders, though it expects to work with a panel of housing associations to provide affordable housing.
The approach to planning at Graven Hill is innovative and flexible with several constituent ‘layers’ to its implementation:
• Outline Planning Permission was formally granted in August 2014, and effectively secured permission in principle for the whole of the land acquired by Cherwell District Council.
• The Master Plan was finalised in March 2015 and sets out the road layout and landscaping plan for the scheme.
• A Design Code identifies the levels of design freedom across the site and the character of the different neighbourhoods. It communicates site-wide ideas to designers and ensures the development as a whole is coherent and has a strong sense of place.
• The Local Development Order is a pioneering planning initiative - it grants planning permission in principle for the properties it applies to. The LDO streamlines the process for self-builders by removing the requirement for individual planning applications.
• Plot passports govern key elements of each plot including requirements regarding ridge heights, parking spaces, the area within which a home can be built and sustainability standards. The Plot Passport is the key document for plot purchasers to refer to as it captures all the information from outline planning, Master Plan and Design Code relating to a particular plot in an easily understandable and bite-sized format. Plot purchasers simply need to design and build their home within the requirements of their Plot Passport and they will then automatically comply with planning.
• One of the challenges faced by the team at Cherwell was the potential impact of charging VAT on plot sales – as in most cases, the plot purchaser would not be able to reclaim this. To address this Cherwell is using a ‘Golden Brick’ solution which enables the plot to be sold without VAT provided the development company undertakes some of the house construction work. To do this the company has to construct the foundations of each home, and lay the first brick. The development company will therefore organise the construction of the foundations and slab for each purchaser, and charge for this - in addition to the basic plot cost.
Plot purchasers have 32 months from reserving their plot to occupation. They are allowed 8 months for design, planning and specification works, including the Golden Brick element, and a further 24 months to build their new home.
The approach to planning at Graven Hill is innovative and flexible with several constituent
‘layers’ to its implementation
Potton have completed designs for several customers at Graven Hill and our first units will be on site early 2018! We have several more designs in progress already so it looks as though there could be a community of Potton homes within the Graven Hill development. In case you were wondering, my favourite film is Field of Dreams!
t’s being built and they are coming… I
By Paul Newman
You have the RIGHT TO BUILD…The ‘Right to Build’, part of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, requires local authorities to ensure there is adequate land provision for those who want to build their own home. On 31st October 2016, new legislation came into force establishing a Right to Build your own home and local authorities in England are now legally obliged to maintain a list of people and groups interested in building their own home.
What does this all mean?You are now in a position where you can ask your local authorities to look to make viable plots available. This should lead to serviced sites with genuine planning permission coming through to match the level of demand indicated on each council’s register. Each relevant local authority has a duty to publicise its Right to Build register and most do this via dedicated sections on their websites.
Register todayYou can find your local authority register by checking online
at www.righttobuildportal.orgIn addition to the Council registers, Potton holds its own list of people wishing to build a Potton home.
Potton have custom build sites across the UK. By signing up to Potton’s register you will be kept informed as and when new sites are added and be the first to hear when plots are made available to buy.
Register at www.potton.co.uk/custombuild
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Download a sample Plot Passport at www.gravenhill.co.uk
©Graven Hill
©Graven Hill
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?Which of the following is not a timber frame house? Are stone capped parapets always a give-away that the structure is masonry? Does timber (style) cladding prove that it’s a timber frame structure? Are windows always positioned and detailed differently in SIP buildings? Can you have a clipped eaves detail with timber frame?
B ack then, with only three houses to browse, the Show Centre was created to introduce self-building to the British public. It was
designed to give prospective self-builders the opportunity to see, feel and experience how a home they could build themselves would look.
Now home to five show houses reflecting the evolution of Potton, the Centre has also become home to the Self Build Academy, where various different courses and events are held, each aimed to guide self-builders through every aspect of designing and building their own home (see page 59).
“The Self-Build Show Centre has been inspiring self-builders for the past 25 years and we are exceptionally proud that Potton’s founder Peter Hutchinson had the vision and belief to create it. Over the years the Centre has seen many changes. Now, with the introduction of the Right to Build Act in 2016 and the growing interest in Custom Build, the Show Centre is more popular than ever. With over 5,000 visitors in 2017, it is still the only centre of its kind in the UK” explains Mark Stevenson, Potton’s Managing Director.
The Show Centre is continuously being revamped with an on-going programme of refurbishment to ensure its relevance for today’s aspiring self-builder. In 2015 the Gransden show home was remodelled and more recently Potton built a fifth
show home on the site, the Elsworth, a contemporary design built to Passivhaus standard which opened its doors in September 2016.
The largest of the five properties, the Milchester, is currently undergoing a full makeover and is due to reopen spring 2018 (see page 34).
With self-builds now estimated at around 12,000 per year, Potton’s Show Centre has, over the past 25 years, played a significant role in the self-build revolution and is a must-see for anyone thinking about designing or building their own home.
As the original pioneers of self-build in the UK and a leading name in the industry, Potton opened its Self Build Show Centre in 1992 when building your own home was a relatively new concept.
Potton Self Build Show Centre
Visit the Show Centre
Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
(last admission 30 minutes prior to closing). For more
information on the houses, address and opening times visit www.potton.co.uk/showhomes
Celebrating 25thAnniversary
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
There is an occasional misconception that timber frame houses have to look like they’ve been constructed with wood or that there are simple ways to spot what’s timber frame and what’s not. We thought we’d take this opportunity to test you all!
Timber What’s Not?What’s
1
2
4
8
By Fae Perkins
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Potton Show Centre, 1990’s.
Guess which are
timber frame?
The first 20 readers to correctly identify which of these are timber frame and which are not will win one of our Keep Calm and Self-Build mugs.
Simply register your details and answer at
www.potton.co.uk/whatstimberandwhatsnot
The UK’s only Self Build Show Centre boasts five stunning designs and is a must-see for any aspiring self-builder! Step inside to find out more…
T
Take a LOOK
INSIDEfind out more about
our show homes
Visit Our Self Build Show Centre
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Potton Self Build Show Centre Mill Lane, Little Paxton, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 6EF
Opening Times:Tuesday - Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 4pm
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Looking for a
designed for you?
Take a Virtual Tour
of the show homes at www.potton.co.uk/
showhomes
Bespoke HomeStart with a visit to the
UK’s only Self Build Show Centre
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
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Gransden
Milchester
Caxton
Wickhambrook
Elsworth
Self Build AcademyBook onto our educational seminars and events
Product Centre A range of doors, windows and staircases are on show for you to browse
Build System CentreTake a look at our range of timber frame and Structural Insulated Panel build systems.
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Self Build Show Centre St Neots, PE19 6EF
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Why visit?We have five fully-furnished show homes, from traditional designs to an open-plan Barn and a contemporary design built to Passivhaus standard. There’s no need to book and families are welcome. You can explore our Product Centre which includes doors, windows and staircases and learn about energy efficient homes in the Build Systems Centre.
GransdenThe Tudor-style Gransden is a wonderfully spacious four bedroom family home with exposed posts and beams.
ElsworthThe UK’s first show home built to Passivhaus standard, built using the Kingspan TEK Building System.
WickhambrookThe energy efficient Wickhambrook combines contemporary interiors with a traditional barn exterior.
CaxtonCaxton cottage, with its sloping ceilings and post and beams, finished with a contemporary feel.
MilchesterThe Milchester is a Rectory-style home that provides all the formal elegance, style and space of Georgian architecture.
• Five stunning homes including the UK’s first show home built to Passivhaus standard
• Relax and enjoy a coffee in the surrounds of a Potton home
• Home to our Self Build Academy events
• Speak to our team about self-building with Potton
• Take away plenty of information and some complimentary self-build magazines
• See our build systems on display
Opening Times:Tuesday - Friday: 9am - 5pmSaturday: 10am - 4pmLast admission 30 minutes prior to closing
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Show CentreVisit Our
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his makeover was to be a different challenge. The Milchester, a Queen Anne style 3,000 square foot home, required a complete facelift both internally and externally. The key being to update kitchens and bathrooms to bring them in line with the way that families live now
compared to back in 1992, whilst retaining the much-loved traditional feel throughout the property.
Whilst looking back at the many Milchester designs supplied for clients over the years there was one particular couple that immediately sprang to mind who built a Milchester in a North London suburb 7 years ago, so we contacted them with this project in mind.
Gill and Barry Deeks carried out almost all of the internal works themselves. Barry made the kitchen and other furniture while Gill designed the interior, including making curtains and renovating furniture sourced on eBay.
A decision was made that Gill and I would work together on the interior design of the Milchester show home, I would source products from our supply partners and Gill would put it all together to present the newly revamped home in a blend of modern and traditional styles.
Internally, the rear of the ground floor will be opened up and transformed into one family area incorporating a Callerton Kitchen designed by Cambridge Kitchens. In addition, the space will boast a huge but cosy sitting area that the whole family can enjoy with double doors leading out to a redesigned patio area from London Stone.
All bathrooms will get a stunning update courtesy of Sottini and British Ceramic Tile. Gill will introduce some beautifully bold wallpapers accented with elegant fixtures and fittings.
The house will also feature traditional paint colours from Farrow and Ball, provided by our long standing partner Brewers.
The house will also include many pieces of furniture sourced by Gill online and upcycled. Additional furniture includes a fabulous four poster bed in the master suite provided by Lombok.
We’re excited to feature stunning cast iron radiators by Castrads which will enhance the traditional feel of the house.
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We look forward to welcoming you to the revamped house. For those who have visited previously we’re confident you will love the transformation.
Milchester will reopen its doors spring 2018
The
Visit www.potton.co.uk/showhomes for directions and opening times.
akeover for the
AilchesterM
- By Terry Mahoney
Having been involved with the interior design for the original three show homes at the Potton Show Centre in 1992 it was an exciting prospect to be involved once again, 25 years later.
Quickstep are providing vinyl flooring from their all new Livyn range and underfloor heating will be supplied courtesy of Nu-Heat, ensuring a warm, energy efficient home. LED and decorative lighting will be provided by tp24 who have supported all five houses at the Centre.
Moodboard visual
Mandara Bedside Table by Lombok
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The revamp includes the replacement of all windows and doors bringing them up to current building regulations with support from Potton joinery supplier, Bereco.
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Moodboard sketch
Turning Dreams to Reality
3535POTTON PARTNER WITH THREE WORKING KITCHENS AT THE POTTON SHOW CENTREPLUS THE NEW MILCHESTER COMING SOON
Aberdeen 01224 826 776 - Ayr 01292 618 277 - Beacons� eld 01494 681 444Belfast 028 9020 9209 - Bishop’s Stortford 01279 501 642 - Broxburn 01506 862 780
Cambridge 01223 213 266 - Colchester 01206 766 601 - Doncaster 01302 325 450Dumfries 01387 279 985 - Edinburgh (EH11) 0131 337 3434 - Glasgow (G11) 0141 337 1435
Glasgow (G76) 0141 644 1435 - Horsham 01403 790 812 - Kilmarnock (KA1) 01563 546 203Kilmarnock (KA1) 01563 831 340 - Kingston Bagpuize 01865 596 768 - Leeds 0113 294 1414
Middlesbrough 01642 220 470 - Newcastle-upon-Tyne 0191 286 0514 - Newmarket 01638 560 778 Shipston-on-Stour 01608 690 870 - St Neots 01223 213 266 - Sterling / Tillicoultry 01259 237 010
Stourbridge 01562 887 212 - Swindon 01865 596 768 - Tain 01862 893 436 - Wirral 0151 342 7442
www.callerton.co.uk
years’ success in the design and manufacture of exclusive kitchen furniture has placed Callerton at the forefront for style, innovation and choice.
Build Beautiful Advert 2018 1 002.indd 1 26/10/2017 15:14:46
There is a common misconception that it’s difficult to mortgage a
timber frame or SIP built property however, this
simply isn’t true.
Build Cost Example Here is an example of the cost and
payment schedule for a Potton timber frame self-build using the BuildStore
Accelerator mortgage.
The funds are released in advance of each build stage, which is ideally suited to timber
frame projects.
How to
* The stage payment column shows the amount
released by the mortgage lender to fund each stage of
the build, including the plot purchase. The remainder
of the cost is funded by the self-builders own money.
DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING •
he most successful self-build projects are those that have been planned well from the start and this means knowing your budget and understanding your
borrowing options early on. Rachel Pyne from BuildStore explains more.
A self-build mortgage differs from a standard house purchase mortgage because the money is released in stages as the build progresses, rather than as a single amount.
BuildStore has developed two mortgage packages specifically for self-builders. They are defined by when funds are released during the build, either in arrears or advance and are tailored to suit both your income and the stages of your project. It’s possible to borrow up to 95% of your plot and build costs with BuildStore, and if you already own your plot, it may be possible to borrow up to 100% of your build costs.
The Accelerator mortgage (exclusive to BuildStore) is ideally suited to timber frame projects as the money is released at the beginning, rather than the end of each build stage. This is key as the timber frame supplier will need full payment before the structure is delivered onsite, which means you need the cash to pay for it upfront.
Around 75% of all self-build mortgages are exclusively available through BuildStore with building societies leading the way as the main source of lending. For many high street lenders, the idea of funding something that is yet to be built is something they won’t consider. Having said that, last year saw Virgin Money launch two mortgages exclusively with BuildStore for custom builders, the first high street lender to enter the sector.
More and more building societies are also starting to offer advance stage payments as well as arrears, exclusively through BuildStore. The most recent being Darlington Building Society, Mansfield and Furness.
There is a common misconception that it’s difficult to mortgage a timber frame or SIPS build system property however, this simply isn’t true. They are actually considered to be a standard construction method by lenders.
Lending criteria are more restrictive when it comes to the material used for the outer skin of the property, as this is what protects it from the elements and is key to its visual appeal. Criteria does vary between lenders, so it’s always important to speak with an expert mortgage adviser before deciding on your construction method, to ensure that it’s mortgagable.
A self-build project doesn’t always equal a self-build mortgage. There are other borrowing options available which might be more suited to you and choosing the right one can ensure that the journey to your new home is as smooth as possible.
If you have enough equity in your current home or own it outright, you could remortgage or secure a bridging loan to pay for the plot, fund your build costs or both. Then when your new home is finished, you can sell your old one to pay off the loan. This way you can stay in your current home during the build and avoid the upheaval of moving, living onsite or renting during the build.
When it comes to funding your self-build, it’s important to speak with an expert mortgage adviser who can look at your financial circumstances and project requirements to recommend and tailor a borrowing solution to suit you and your new home.
www.buildstore.co.uk
Watch the video at Potton.co.uk/videos
T
By Rachel Pyne, BuildStore.
Build Stage Build Costs
Stage Payments*
Plot Purchase £260,000 £210,000
To complete construction of the foundations and pay for the timber frame structure, windows and insulation pack
£120,651 £90,920
To complete wind & watertight
£70,600 £49,393
To complete 1st fix & drylining
£60,280 £39,350
To complete the build
£63,469 £35,337
Total £575,000 £425,000
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to funding a self-build. With a number of borrowing options available, the right one for you depends on your individual financial circumstances and project requirements.
Fund a Self-build
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Land cost: £260,000 Build cost: £315,000 Total Amount: £575,000 Loan Amount: £425,000 Property Size: 410.7 sqm CostPer SqM: £1400
Project numbers
Custom Build Homes is a division of BuildStore, the UK’s leading self build & renovation expert
For more information and to view current and future custom build sites visit:
Could custom build hold the key to your new home?Custom build allows you to choose your plot and the design of your home to be built
on it. Plots come ready to build on with all services and outline planning in place.
Choose to do as little or as much of the work yourself, with professional assistance and support available from beginning to end.
The trouble with most self build mortgages is that they’re not designed to suit the needs of self builders and renovators.
BuildStore’s highly experienced self build mortgage advisers have access to exclusive mortgage schemes individually tailored to suit you and your project, whatever your financial requirements.
Funds can be released at the beginning or end of each stage of your build to suit your circumstances and we offer a choice of leading lenders and competitive rates.
Smart self builders & renovators always have the materials they need to hand...
...and that includes the money
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. For arranging self build and custom build mortgages, we charge a fee of £695. £95 is payable on application
and a further £600 on offer. For all other mortgages, we charge a fee of £395 which is payable on offer.
For expert advice and to find out more about our exclusive mortgage schemes, contact us now.
Call 0345 223 4888
3 Up to 95% on your land and build costs 3 Negotiate better deals and keep workmen on site by
having the cash to pay bills, when you need it 3 Unique Accelerator advance stage payment mortgage 3 Possible to stay in your current home while building
The BuildStore Difference
www.buildstore.co.uk
MAB 7559
Potton© Potton© Potton© Potton©
heOut ofBT lue
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We are very happy and proud of the end result
said Carole
Watch the video at Potton.co.uk/videos
fter researching online, the couple narrowed their search down to just two, Potton and another company local to them.
Once they had decided on Potton, their first step was to visit the Potton Self Build Show Centre in St Neots. It was here that they met with a Potton Self-Build Consultant who impressed the couple with his knowledge and understanding about what they were trying to achieve.
After seeing the Wickhambrook show house, Simon and Carole thought they would like to build a barn, however they knew realistically that they would never get planning permission for this on their site, so they developed their own bespoke design with the help of Potton.
A minimalist approach Simon and Carole were happy to base the external appearance on other neighbouring houses but they had firm ideas about the interior design. They wanted to make the inside clean and contemporary, almost minimalist.
“We made numerous changes following our initial design, we moved the position of the staircase a number of times, we also added
a fitness room before finally coming up with a design we were comfortable with and one that would suit our lifestyle” says Simon.
Appointing a builder Simon, a consultant himself, had some experience in project management and knew building could be stressful. “It’s more the things you don’t know than the things you do”, said Simon.
“Potton put us in touch with Alan and Matt at Manwaring Construction and we were immediately impressed by their experience and track record. With planning finally approved we decided they would be our appointed builder.” Simon, Carole and their two children sold their existing family home and rented a small cottage just a few miles from the plot.
Appointed builders, Alan and Matt Manwaring were able to offer the couple guidance, advice and support throughout the project.
A
Carole and Simon Murphy, both in their mid-40s, were living in Kent and had been considering building their own home for around 18 months. The couple spotted a plot for sale in a village they knew and liked but were bitterly disappointed to learn from the estate agent that the plot had already been sold.
Features Within
38 3903CASE STUDY 03
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• Underfloor heating on both the ground floor and first floor
• Integrated lighting and network system throughout the house
• Air Source Heat Pump to power the heating and later be used to heat an outdoor swimming pool
• Integrated sauna within indoor gym
Location: Kent
Land cost: £265,000
Build cost: £320,000 plus £98,000 landscaping and endless pool
Current value: £900,000
Floor area: 242m2 / 2605 sq ft
Project Facts
Fully factory finished, engineered and defect free external timber windows & doors from Bereco with low maintenance and backed by extensive warranties.
01709 [email protected]
www.bereco.co.uk
COMING SOON
To Potton’s
MilchesterShow Home
BuildBeautifulBereco2016-17.indd 1 11/12/2017 12:28
rialNot bad for a
RT un‘
‘04CASE STUDY 04
Simon and Bibby Towler found their plot, complete with existing bungalow, during the summer of 2015 following six unsuccessful plot bids in the previous four months.
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YOUR FIRST12 ISSUES FOR £12
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SELFBUILD& DESIGN
Advert2.indd 1 30/10/2017 16:31
The Towler’s project took just 14 months from start to finish with the build phase being 9 months.
Before: The run-down bungalow was demolished and replaced with a Potton barn
We could have chosen any timber frame supplier, changed our drawings and re-submitted them
for planning. However, as Potton were local and we
had been to several of their events, we decided that the ‘Potton experience’ was the
one for us
imon was working in investment banking, his wife Bibby as a Landscape architect. Before they started their project neither had
knowledge of anything related to self-build, construction or even any basic DIY skills.
Initially the couple had vague ideas to renovate an old property maybe for a holiday home; otherwise there was no master plan.
When Simon retired from the city he wanted to get stuck into something different, his best friend had been refurbishing homes and selling them on quite successfully for a few years; after some discussions with him, Simon and Bibby started looking for a similar investment.
During their search they came across the Potton website. This changed their perspective somewhat and they became regular visitors to the Potton Show Centre and soon the idea of self-build overtook that of renovating.
The couple attended one of Potton’s Networking events and became regular visitors to self-build exhibitions.
Simon and Bibby consulted with Potton Self-Build Consultant Tom Allen.
“Tom came in for a real grilling as we tried to get a feel for what was involved. He assured us that we were equipped to self-build, that our lack of experience would not be an issue” says Simon.
Although the land came with detailed planning permission for a Potton design, Bibby and Simon still got quotes from a number of other companies.
The couple wanted to achieve a mature barn look on the outside and something more modern and contemporary inside. Simon and Bibby worked with Tom Allen to modify a number of layout aspects from the Potton Wickhambrook Barn design.
“Tom’s experience in architecture and the technical aspects of construction was invaluable as we constantly moved bi-folds, changed window dimensions, amended layouts, changed stair design, removed and replaced beams. We opted for the full insulation package from Potton and chose their external and internal joinery package which included the staircase” says Bibby.
Project Management Given their lack of experience the couple felt they had to have some input from a Project Manager. The couple found they could tailor the level of support they needed, to get just the right amount of hand-holding.
Bibby and Simon hired Delta Project Management Ltd to get the build to a water-tight stage. “They were on hand beyond that really, they helped us get started by handling tendering for contractors and made frequent site visits providing technical guidance as the build unfolded” said Bibby.
It was fortunate that Simon could be on site virtually every day if required, he could deal with the many daily decisions as they arose, receive and check deliveries and generally check on everyone’s progress.
By the beginning of October 2015 the couple were ready to start setting out and digging foundations, using a Potton approved contractor for all groundworks.
“We used Potton approved contractors for all our groundworks but during the course of digging they hit upon poorly made-up ground where an old pond had been filled in, this unfortunately required a redesign of the foundations, essentially adding some steel cages and additional concrete, or in other words, adding an unforeseen six thousand pounds to our budgeted figure” said Simon.
Frame delivery Once digging and pouring the concrete was done it was time to get the blockwork completed so the concrete beam and block floor could be laid in readiness to take the Potton frame.
Delivery of the Potton kit was made and seven weeks later the trusses were on, the roof was felt and battened and the structure was watertight.
With the first fix carpentry, electrics and plumbing complete, March saw plasterboard going on internally while outside the carpenters were busy fixing the cedar cladding so the project was almost back on track.
For the rest of the spring the second fix carpentry work was completed, this was followed by decoration, kitchen and bathroom fitting. By August the whole project was complete and the couple moved into their beautiful new home.
Budgeting In terms of budgeting Simon and Bibby said they reverse engineered it in some ways, figuring out first what they wanted the house to feel like when built. The couple opted for something slightly above an average finish and although didn’t ‘over spec’ the house by any means, they did put in a very nice kitchen
and some impressive technology. Both ensured the tiling was as good as they could find and fittings in the bathrooms were of good quality.
“We had a lot of fun building our house, one of the reasons we started this first build was just to prove to ourselves that we could do it; well, it’s done and still standing. Equally I wanted to demonstrate that it was financially viable” said Simon.
The Towler’s project took just 14 months from start to finish with the build phase being 9 months.
“For us, it wasn’t the case of building our dream home, we do have a dream home in mind but I think we will do a few more of these projects before we get down to building it. We will definitely repeat the experience and have already starting bidding on plots again!” explained Bibby.
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Location: Cambridgeshire
Land cost: £340,000
Build cost: £1,600/m2 (approx
Current value: £1.3m
Floor area: 283m2 / 3046 sq ft
Project Facts
I t is disappointing that the current government has little interest in continuing this work or improving the energy efficiency of new build housing through regulations. It
is particularly irritating that the government chose to abandon the pathway to zero carbon homes and closed down the organisation it created to deliver them using a pathway initiated in 2007. It is clear that low energy houses tend to be constructed more carefully and are therefore more likely to deliver the levels of energy efficiency desired by the customer and intended by the building designer.
Kingspan Logic+, Kingspan Ultima and Kingspan TEK building systems provide sector leading levels of energy efficiency in their particular niches. Each utilises high performance rigid insulation products from Kingspan Insulation and is designed, manufactured or fabricated in our own factory on the Beds/Cambs border. Our whole house approach to fabric energy efficiency and insulation provision ensures that products are correctly selected, specified and supplied and that they are manufactured in accordance with relevant standards and, where necessary, supported with the appropriate independent certification.
The tragic fire at Grenfell Tower last year has put a particular focus on the fire performance of building elements and will almost certainly result in changes to Building Regulations relating to fire. The significant challenges inherent within high-rise tower blocks are not all applicable to low rise housing but there is no space for complacency when designing and constructing these simpler structures. As a manufacturer and constructer of building systems and part of a global building product manufacturer we have to ensure that the systems we provide to our customers meet, and even exceed, regulatory requirements. We have a suite of recent and current fire resistance test evidence in place for each of our build systems and we always consider and address the potential impact of fire during construction on our systems and properties adjacent to the homes we construct. As, if, and when regulations change, our customers can be certain that we will ensure that our systems and the designs they are part of continue to meet the requirements.
Every home constructed using a timber system supplied by Potton benefits from a set of structural calculations carried out specifically for that property. Calculations are carried out in accordance with British and European Standards and where relevant appropriate third party certifications. In truth, this is how all timber system manufacturers operate. Where we differ is in some of the steps we take to get to this point and, in particular, how we treat the design of floors where we reduce deflection levels below those required by the structural codes and warranty providers in order to improve vibration performance and user perception in service. We are also unlike many manufacturers in that almost all of our manufacturing design work is carried out in house by a permanently employed team; we use very few design contractors. By working in this way we get more control over what we design and how we design it for manufacture.
Finally, we come to acoustic performance. Minimum standards for acoustic performance, like the other parameters we have considered in this article, are defined in the Building Regulations. The vast majority of the houses we construct are detached properties so we do not have to regularly address the complexities of acoustic performance between dwellings; but please be assured that we have a range of high performance solutions available for situations where these are required.
Normally, we simply have to make sure that our customers feel comfortable with the acoustic performance achieved within their home and that noise from external sources is reduced to an acceptable level. Performance with regards to the latter is significantly improved by constructing an air-tight home, removing unsightly trickle vents from windows and using a mechanical ventilation system to provide a constant stream of fresh air into the property – this is something that at least half of our customers choose to do. As mentioned when explaining our approach to thermal insulation, we provide our customers with a whole house insulation pack. This pack includes not only thermal insulation but all of the products needed to enhance the acoustic performance of ceilings and all internal walls. If, in order to meet specific needs an upgrade in performance is required, say around a media room or between bedrooms in a guest house, then we have a range of design and specification options available to us to meet those requirements.
For some time now there has been pressure on the construction industry to demonstrate that the buildings it constructs perform in line with the claims it makes and the way that users expect them to. The housebuilding sector has been the focus of this effort and closing the gap between the expected and actual energy efficiency performance has been a particular point of interest.
It is clear that low energy houses tend to be constructed
more carefully and are therefore more likely to
deliver the levels of energy efficiency desired by the
customer and intended by the building designer
I hope that this article demonstrates that we take the performance of our systems and
our customers’ homes seriously and continue to invest in improving both these important
aspects.
For more information visit www.potton.co.uk/build-systems
By Justin Barker
Justin Barker
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Download from www.potton.co.uk/download
Complement a wooden staircase by adding an eye catching feature to the step riser.
Make a feature in your hallway with a wraparound staircase .
I NSPIRINGInteriors
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Adding pops of colour can bring spaces to life.
Interior design inspiration from inside our customers’ homes Visit Potton.co.uk/galleries for more photos
British Gypsum magnetic plaster allows you to hang objects on the wall without the need for wall plugs or specialist fittings.
Open plan kitchens and family areas create a great entertaining space.
Potton Picks
Make a statement
with this ornate
cast iron radiator
from Castrads.
Heart Wood, a beautiful warm pink is
Dulux Colour of the Year 2018. (© Dulux Trade /
Akzo Nobel).
This Siemens connected fridge is equipped with high performance
cameras, allowing you to check what you have in your fridge when out and
about. You’ll never run out of everyday essentials again!
Adding a home gym to your new home? Why not incorporate your own sauna too?
Make a feature of your beams by using them as a clothes rail.
Glass dividing walls and doors can help to close rooms off without losing the open-plan feel.
This bespoke fireplace was tailor-made to fit the large antique mirror. Feature
up-lights and a mirrored splashback give this kitchen an ultra-contemporary feel.
Maximise beautiful views
with a large feature window
This Lombok four poster bed
from the Canton collection offers
a lustrous and signature feature
to your bedroom.
David & Lesley’s build was featured on ‘Flat Pack Mansions’ on Channel 4. Watch online at www.potton.co.uk/videos
Underneath The Brambles Back in 2009 the couple bought a bungalow in Hampshire which they completely remodelled and rebuilt over four years. This gave them the inspiration to consider taking on their next project.
David was a project manager and Lesley had a flair for interior design, so self-building was an obvious next step.
In 2013 they came across a detached bungalow on an acre plot in a conservation area. The plot was engulfed in weeds and brambles but the potential was immediately recognised by the couple and they purchased the bungalow for £520,000.
“Our first job was to fumigate the whole property which had been untouched for years” said Lesley. Following a lot of hard work the couple brought the place up to a liveable condition and during this time David and Lesley met with local planners who said they would only be able to replace the bungalow on a like for like basis.
Before David and Lesley started working with Potton, two planning applications were submitted based on the planners suggestions however both were refused because they were too big and not considered aesthetically pleasing.
It was then decided that, if the local authority did not accept a design they had actually instigated, the couple would re-apply with something that they actually wanted to build.
Finding Potton “I had investigated Potton many years ago” said David. “We also had a builder friend who had built with Potton a long time ago and we had visited the show homes. To be honest, we were put off by the post and beam style and we were completely unaware that Potton did anything else, let alone bespoke designs.”
The couple visited various Self-Build shows then, by accident, met with Potton Self Build Consultant, Sean Adams, at a show in the South West.
They gave Sean a concise brief of their design requirements with the main considerations being:
• Open-plan kitchen/living area
• Impressive entrance hall incorporating a ‘wow staircase’
• Master bedroom to have a generous balcony to maximise views
• Separate ‘not too big, but cosy’ lounge
• External decking for outside living in the summer
“Sean was very accommodating and very perceptive about exactly what we wanted to achieve, Potton handled the whole planning application” says David. Following the two unsuccessful attempts at gaining planning permission the new Potton design was submitted. Though the planners commented that the house was still deemed ‘too big’ it was considered aesthetically pleasing and the permission was granted.
The couple attended some of Potton’s Self Build Academy courses which they found very informative. It was here that they were able to meet with various Potton staff members which made them feel more comfortable about their upcoming project.
Starting on site The foundations were laid during December 2015 with the timber frame arriving in February. The couple found all of the subcontractors locally through recommendations and word of mouth. “We had decided on self-build because it was economically viable, so the use of local tradesmen was important to our budgeting” says David.
The frame was fully erected in 12 days allowing trades to directly follow. The build was completed by the August and the couple moved in. Lesley did all of the interior design herself. Choosing furnishing and colour schemes was easy and enjoyable for her as she already had a small business where she restores old and retro type furniture.
For David, the most important areas were the underfloor heating, air source heat pump and a study where they could both work from.
Final word “We would thoroughly recommend Potton to others and would most certainly use them should we build again” said David. “There was always someone we could speak to with any queries, we found Kevin Hopton who did all of our SAP calculations very amenable and efficient with any questions we had, we even spoke to Paul Newman, the Self-Build Director, on a Saturday morning when we had a problem to resolve.”
“The highlight for me was seeing the timber frame turn up on the back of a lorry and watching the speed of the erection team on site” comments Lesley.
David adds “I think my highlight is simply being in the house and loving all that we have achieved.”
GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOOR
Floorplans
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
A B uildingOpportunity
48 49
Lesley and David Lennox sit comfortably in their beautiful bespoke Potton home looking out over the open fields of Hampshire and reflect on the route to building the house they had always aspired to.
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CASE STUDY 05
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Location: Hampshire Land cost: £520,000
Build cost: £415,000
Current value: £1.5m Floor area: 274m2 / 2949 sq ft
Project Facts
All figures correct at time of collecting data
As featured on
CHANNEL 4
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W orking withSmall developers
The Potton business has always been ambitious and entrepreneurial in its scope of operations and today the support and encouragement provided by Kingspan, our parent group, enable us to do things that are beyond the reach of less well-resourced companies. Self-build customers have always been and remain at the core of our operations but we have also always worked with small developers.
Are you a small
developer?Get in touch with
Martyn Tharratt to discuss your project.
Call 01767 676400 or email
I t was noticeable that the 2008/2009 financial crisis effectively removed a very sizeable number of small developers from
the market because they were unable to fund the developments they wanted to bring forward. However, since 2014/2015 we have seen the, very welcome, return of the small developer – in all their guises.
What is a small developer? Are you one? Is it a good thing to be one?In my opinion it’s probably not worth over-thinking this too much. Some of our small developer customers are already full-time professionals in the industry, it’s a business for them and they seek to develop one site and then move on to the next using our resources to supplement their own. Others, are first time or occasional developers who are perhaps looking to start a business or increase the volume of development work they do. A final group are first time developers who have ended up with a
building plot and having decided that they wish to develop the land, to add to and then realise its value, acknowledge that it would be helpful to work with someone whose knowledge and experience they can draw on as they move through the development process.
What services does Potton provide?For the bulk of our self-build customers we provide an architectural design and planning service taking them from concept sketch through to securing planning permission. We then go on to provide a package of products and construction services to help them complete their home. Of course, we are happy to work with self-builders who have an existing design provided by their own architect but for the bulk of our customers we provide the architectural and planning services they require.
Essentially, we provide small developers with the same range of products and services that we offer to our self-build customers. However, in
contrast to our self-build customers, there is a bit more variety in how they decide to work with us; the range of services provided is normally determined by their prior experience and future business plans. Some developers use Potton to produce house designs and then handle their own planning submission, others bring us designs with planning that need working up to a stage by us where they can be submitted for Building Regulations. Occasionally, we are presented with a full design package. The thing that binds our small developer customers together with our self-builders is that they all benefit from a high performance building envelope and structure designed, supplied and constructed by Potton.
A few examplesStateside Developments is a small, highly professional development company with a proven track record of completing genuinely top quality homes in some of the most sought after areas of the south east of England.
Dave Goddard, the business principle, has significant experience of working with major developers and has been running Stateside for seven years. The last home that Stateside completed was a Potton designed property near Horley in Surrey; it sold to the first family to visit and Stateside is now working with Potton on several other homes on a new site in Crawley Down, Sussex.
J osh Cherry has worked as a timber frame erector for Potton for several years and recently he and his wife
Nathalie completed their first new build development using a bespoke design and planning permission created by Potton. The result is a fantastic property that sold quickly and enabled Natalie and Josh to move quickly onto their next more ambitious scheme.
Dave has enjoyed working with the Potton team and has established a good working relationship with Kevin Hopton, our Senior Designer.
Potton is currently working with main contractor and developer GPML on a scheme in Essex. The units were designed by GPML’s own team and will be on site next year. GPML has worked for a number of Potton self-build customers and purely as a contractor on a scheme for another Potton client. GPML is using Potton’s expertise in timber building systems to help them successfully complete schemes on time and to budget.
I would recommend Potton to other developers because of their professionalism, attention to
detail, wealth of experience in design and their technical support – Dave Goddard.
By Martyn Tharratt
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
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AS V
OTED FOR BY YOU
! AS VOTED FOR BY YO
U!
POTTON HOMEBESTAWARD
ikki, a part-time receptionist in her 60s, had been living in the same house for 36 years with husband Ray who unfortunately fell ill and was diagnosed
with terminal cancer. The couple had never considered self-build until the offer of their friends’ plot came up.
The plot, just 3 miles from home, encompassed a mature garden and was just right to accommodate a reasonable sized house without compromising usable outdoor space.
“I love my garden and enjoy working in it, so this was very important to me. When this opportunity came up, we decided that we would like the idea of self-building” said Nikki.
Through word of mouth, Nikki found out about Potton and liked the package they offered and so the project was in motion.
The key requirements for the house were that the ground floor should be open-plan but include a separate lounge with an inglenook fireplace. Working from a previous Potton design and along with their Potton Self-Build Consultant, a design was drawn which would suit their lifestyle.Another consideration for Nikki was how to utilise existing furniture to ensure the new house had a warm lived-in cottage feel, whilst also incorporating some contemporary ideas.
The house exterior would combine render with local multi bricks to match surrounding houses and, with planning permission later granted, Nikki purchased the land for £150,000 from her friends.
Sadly, Ray passed away when the building’s foundations were being dug. So, with no previous experience in building, Nikki chose one of Potton’s project managers to oversee the build up to a watertight stage. Nikki also utilised tradesmen from Potton’s approved contractor listing.
“The groundworkers were simply fantastic, they also carried out the brickwork and were always available to give me advice. Trevor from Pryor Construction was really helpful and I have him and his team to thank for giving me the Inglenook fireplace that I have always wanted and my project manager, Brent Ackerman from Delta Project Management was brilliant” said Nikki.
For Nikki, the most exciting moment in the whole build was to see how quickly the timber frame structure went up. “For the last three months I lived with my friends next door which was even better” explains Nikki.
When the build was almost complete Nikki decided to move in and get things completed whilst living there. Having been through the loss of her husband and the challenges of a build, Nikki is looking to the future in a home she is proud of.
N
When you build with Potton, you can do as much or as little as you want
Project Management
Managing the build of your Potton home By Mark Stevenson
A s a Potton customer there are typically three routes to choose from when
completing your build:- Self-manage – using a team of subcontractors- Employ a project manager- Employ a builder
Self-manageFor many customers the pleasure of building their home extends beyond creating a unique property designed for them. Many also want the satisfaction of being able to say ‘we built this’ and therefore choose to manage the build themselves. Our services have been developed to provide the support needed by these customers.
We do this with an extended network of ‘customer recommended’ subcontractors and suppliers and a series of seminars and workshops intended to provide individuals with the skills to manage their own build. The workshops cover the self-build process from start to finish and are run by Potton staff and independent project managers with lots of real life experience.
Work with a Project ManagerWhilst managing a build is not necessarily complicated, it is time consuming and therefore often not possible for those with busy lives. By far the most popular option for these people is to employ an independent project manager to manage the project on their behalf. With this approach the customer retains a high degree of control over the build and can set the agenda about how money is spent, which subcontractors are employed, how quickly the build will progress and what level of quality is acceptable.
Potton maintains a network of independent project managers who are directly engaged by the customer, usually on a fixed fee basis.
The key to successfully working with any professional project manager is to clearly set out the following;
1. Project objectives and expectations – build cost, build time and build quality.
2. The scope of the service required and extent of their responsibility.
3. How the service will be delivered e.g. when the PM will carry out inspections and what communication arrangements are.
4. The process of decision making and dealing with problems – who has authority and to what extent.
5. The arrangements for managing safety and what resources will be made available for working safely.
In addition, the role of the customer should also be agreed in a similar vein to the project manager. There is absolutely no point in employing a project manager to manage a build if the customer constantly interferes and doesn’t allow the project manager to do their job. Furthermore, an absent customer who doesn’t make decisions when needed or doesn’t keep the funds flowing can quickly complicate and delay the best of builds!
Employ a turnkey builderMany customers find a local builder who can deliver a full turnkey build. Depending on the location Potton can often suggest builders from a network built up over time. The advantage of using a turnkey builder or main contractor is that they relieve pressure on the self-builder and reduce the number of decisions they have to make. The downside is that the extra services provided generally lead to an increase in build cost.
When good friends of Nicola Scrivens purchased an extra piece of land adjacent to their property in a village just outside of Cambridge, they never envisaged that some years afterwards their good friend would build a house there and become a neighbour.
N ewBeginnings...
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52 5306CASE STUDY 06
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
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“It’s as nice as I could have imagined, I never thought I’d get to build a house. I have been
delighted with the service, everyone was very professional, kind and helpful.”
Location: Cambridgeshire
Land cost: £150,000
Build cost: £300,000
Current value: £650,000
Floor area: 171m2 / 1841 sq ft
Project Facts
As featured in
Selfbuilder & homemaker
Magazine
One Day Course:
Managing Your Build
Attend our one-day course providing you with further information on how
to build and project manage your self-build home. For course dates
and to book please visit www.selfbuildacademy.co.uk
GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOOR
Their main requirement was to have a large open-plan kitchen and living area and incorporate some interesting interior features.
raving a new contemporary home with high levels of insulation the couple had never even considered self-build. However, following some
online research, Maureen and Dennis decided it was the way to go.
Locating a plot close to home Armed with local knowledge, the couple explored their existing village on and off for about two months before investigating a half-acre plot which had no planning permission but amazing open countryside views. On approaching the
local authority they were told the plot was not formally within the settlement boundary but eventually an approval was gained for two houses on the land and the Stephens purchased plot 2 for £285,000.
Throughout the process the couple had managed to rent a cottage in the same village which would prove to be invaluable during the build.
Design Inspiration They took the opportunity to visit the Potton Self-Build Show Centre in Cambridgeshire, Potton’s Ruskin show house at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon and visited the Potton factory whilst attending a Self Build Academy seminar.
Maureen and Dennis met with Potton Self Build Consultant Sean Adams who worked with them to transform the ideas they had and to incorporate things that they had seen and liked when viewing other houses.Their main requirement was to have a large open-plan kitchen and living area and incorporate some interesting interior features.“The external look of the house was to be
Ca blend of old and new, introducing a large peaked gable window that would provide plenty of light in the lounge and also provide a slightly more contemporary look to the outside”.“Sean’s input and experience was excellent, as was the whole Potton service and process” said Dennis.
Finding a builder The couple’s next task was to find a builder to work with. This in fact turned out to be fairly straightforward, as Dennis had actually been at school with one of the area’s quality builders, Les Palmer, who had by coincidence not only built two beautiful Potton houses in the village but also built a number of other Potton homes for clients across the county.
The house itself was finished in December 2015 with the landscaping completed the following year. The finished home is a testament to the couple’s initial vision and their project was featured on the cover of Build It magazine in the September 2017 issue.“Despite the fact we went over budget on the groundworks, kitchen and garage, we still came out with a final project cost of £580,000” said Dennis.
Maureen and Dennis Stephens, now retired, were living in a ‘chocolate box’ country cottage with a thatched roof and timber cladding in a perfect Hampshire village close to the River Test. After living there for 14 years they found it hard work to keep an old house up to standard, not to mention the running costs and heating bills.
07ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
CASE STUDY 07
A L ocalMove54 55
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Location: Hampshire
Land cost: £285,000
Build cost: £295,000 Current value: £850,000
Floor area: 184m2 / 1981 sq ft
Project Facts
Floorplans
As featured in Build It
Magazine www.self-build.co.uk
Most memorable moment of the build?
‘Watching the progress of the timber frame erection’
To discuss various options available for supply only or fully installed shutters for your project, please contact us.
07774 744400 www.thecambridgeshuttercompany.co.uk
The Cambridge Shutter Company provides the quality, service and attention to detail that you would expect from a local family-run company.
On display in Potton’s
Gransden show house
www.cambridgekitchens.co.uk
Bishop’s Stortford48 Hockerill StreetBishop’s Stort ford CM23 2DWTel. 01279 501642
Newmarket3 The AvenueNewmarket CB8 9AATel. 01638 560778
Cambridge297 Mill RoadCambridge CB1 3DFTel. 01223 213266
Potton Show CentreMill Lane, Little Paxton,St Neots PE19 6LPTel. 01480 877274
&CAMBRIDGEKITCHENSB A T H R O O M SDESIGN | INSTALL | AFTERCARE
We offer a fully project managedservice including small buildingworks. For inspiration andpractical advice from one of ouraward-winning designers, pleasevisit one of our showrooms.
A family business since 1978
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre
Self build coursesOver 240 exhibitorsAdvice from expertsEco & design workshopsSelf build shows with free seminarsGuided educational tours
A unique and inspiring resource, the NSBRC is here to help provide you with the knowledge and support you need during your homebuilding project.
of self build & renovation
MORE INFO & FREE TICKETS ATWWW.NSBRC.CO.UK0345 223 4455
National Self Build & Renovation Centre
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visitor centre for self builders, custom builders and renovators
J16, M4 SwindonSN5 8UB
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to Sunday 10:00-17:30 FREE entry!
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The Self Build Academy provides workshops, seminars and events each targeted at different stages of the build process. Together, the courses will guide you through the process of building your dream home and will help you develop the knowledge needed to successfully complete your project.
Request your FREE Self Build Academy Pass.Register for your pass today and you and a friend can attend our events and courses free of charge. Visit www.selfbuildacademy.co.uk/free-pass
For course dates and to book please visit selfbuildacademy.co.uk
member: A N OTHER
Be organised – it will pay later! After completion of your build, you will have up to 3 months to submit and reclaim your VAT. Stay organised and file everything as you get it so you can find it easily when required.
On-site storage If your build includes
garages or out buildings then consider
building these first if you have the time
and space. You can never have enough
dry and secure storage space on a building site
and these buildings effectively come free,
saving you money by not having to hire
storage containers.
Luxury on a budget If you want a luxury feel to your self-build, but only have a limited budget, then focus on the things that you ‘touch’ on a regular basis and those things that cannot be changed at a later date. For example a good quality handle will lift an average door without spending an excessive amount of money.
Involve the planners Start discussions and establish a good relationship with your local planning department as early as possible, this will help to avoid possible conflicts and they are much more likely to be open to your project if they feel engaged and involved.
Preparation is key Be as well prepared as possible before you start your build. As the construction progresses, you will be bombarded with questions and decisions and will have little time to investigate solutions. Having the answers to hand before the questions are asked will prove invaluable and you will feel much more in control of the process. Gill Deeks, who built this Rectory style home, says “it is never too early to start putting all your ideas down - your must-have lists are essential, plus a realistic budget plan of what they will cost.”
Take photographs First time self-builders Brian and
Loveday Ellis recommend taking plenty of photographs showing where wires and
underground pipes run.
“Looking back, it would’ve been helpful to have images of every wall and ceiling
before the plasterboard went on!”
Which build route is right for you? Before deciding upon which route you will take to build your home, have a very clear understanding of what time and commitment you can devote to your project. If you are time precious then don’t go down the self-managed route. If you think you will want to be involved at every stage and be part of every decision then a project managed or turnkey solution may also not be right for you. Try to match your time and commitment to the most appropriate route to avoid unnecessary additional cost or conflict by trying to do the project management on behalf of your project manager.
Befriend your new neighbours Make friends with your neighbours and keep them happy throughout the build. Neighbours will provide invaluable for keeping an eye on your site, particularly after hours. It is inevitable that at some time you will cause them some inconvenience, so by making an effort they will be more likely to be supportive when you need it!
- Tom Allen, Self Build Consultant
Using local trades Hire local trades wherever possible with personal recommendations that have a reputation to maintain in the area, this will mean they are focussed on detail and delivering the best job possible.
- James Webster, Contracts Manager
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
Start yourSelf Build Journey with
the Self build Academy ™Top tipsSelf-Build We’ve gathered tips and advice from our experts and
customers to help prepare you for your self-build…5858
ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK
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Self Builder
Tip
We also have
Design your Perfect Kitchen and Bathroom Visit a Live Build
5 My Energy Efficient Home
Introduction to Self-Build1 Making the Most
of Your Plot3How to Find & Appraise Land2
6 Managing Your Build
The Design Process Explained4
Coffee Networking Mornings
PottonSelfBuild 01767 676400 [email protected]
Self-Build Homes
Bespoke, architecturally designed homes built on 50 years of heritage.
www.potton.co.uk
DESIGN - PLANNING - BUILD