LIVEDIN

Being part of the LIVEDIN cohort one, we are testing the system alongside other architects and self-build enablers, and seeing how their system enables projects to get planning permission in principle, for self-build plots, with the next step, selling them to self-builders. The great thing is that  LIVEDIN takes care of all the costs and risks associated with delivering the project, because folks like us are involved, taking the stress and questions out of designing the site layout and houses, conducting surveys, preparing the planning application, handling community consultation, and installing infrastructure.

Why Self Build? There are also great incentives for landowners, not just creating meaningful legacies with great communities, where people love to live, but also planning advantages and higher values and leads to stronger communities. This occurs because of the Right to Build Act, and it can often make the difference between permission and refusal on more marginal sites. Every year each Local Authority is obliged by law to take a tally of the number of people who have joined the register in that year and they then have 3 years in which to permit an equivalent number of plots suitable for this type of housing. Here is the LivedIn data-visualisation tool (produced in association with NaCSBA ) that shows how each Authority is doing: Self Build Register

“Self-build and custom housebuilding covers a wide spectrum, from projects where individuals are involved in building or managing the construction of their home from beginning to end, to projects where individuals commission their home, making key design and layout decisions, but the home is built ready for occupation (‘turnkey’)”. As defined by the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

Tom Herbert baker, food equality champion, all round good person and founder of The Long Table, welcomes the group with a bread making demonstration.

Photography by Ike Colman https://www.instagram.com/pitchsnookhams/ and backdrop illustration by Jenny Bowershttps://www.jennybowers.co.uk/).