The City of York Council is pioneering housing by offering six custom build plots as part of a larger mixed-use development of 140 new homes at Lowfield Green.
A community-led housing scheme by Yorspace is also included in the development. Two of the plots are specifically reserved for first-time buyers, offering a more affordable option to help people get on the property ladder. This is in line with the council’s commitment to providing a range of housing options to lower-income households. In addition to shared ownership of homes from the open market, and council-owned homes, 40% of all the homes at Lowfield Green will be affordable. Homes England has also helped fund the development of the site.
SIP Build UK were chosen to oversee the design, manufacture, delivery, and installation of the self-build custom plots 3 and 5. The clients required a sustainable, energy-efficient home that would utilize the 172mm SIP system for both the roof and walls, and we were more than capable of delivering on their request.
All custom-build plots have access to essential utilities such as electricity, water, and telephone cable, and have road access. With outline planning permission already granted, construction can begin soon after detailed planning is approved. Each plot is large enough for a detached home with three to five bedrooms and an integrated garage. They also come with a south-facing back garden and uninterrupted views of the new village green. The former secondary school site has been designed around a new green open space to create an attractive new place to live in the city.
Custom Build Homes (CBH) has published a Design Code to encourage individuality, creativity, and high-quality architecture on the plots. Individual Plot Passports are also available to support architects, designers, and homebuilders in designing a new home. These guidelines include maximum height and width, advice on materials and colors, and levels of sustainability to be achieved. CBH has also been engaged by the City of York Council to deliver aspects of the development process, including consultancy, pre-agreed mortgage lending, as well as leading the sales and marketing for the site.
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods at City of York Council, states:
“We are also delighted to have the expertise of Custom Build Homes to support us with our first serviced self-build plots. “By implementing our low-energy recommendations from the Design Code, these self-build homes will be affordable to run in the long-term. They will also align with our Passivhaus ambitions for the homes we plan to build as part of our Housing Delivery Programme.”
Design and build a new home on “shovel-ready” plots with planning permission. Custom Build Homes
Read more about Lowfield Green, York
