a issue 4 potton.co.uk flfi˛˛ˇ˘ country cottage … · case, gallery balustrades, newel posts...

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


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


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


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


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.


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


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


BEAUTIFULLY TAILORED

MAIN IMAGE: JEREMY PHILLIPS / HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING

Modern

7CASE STUDIESInspiring

A

CottageCountry

Our Milchester

Show HomeMakeover.

• DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • • DESIGN •


build beautiful

our build

beautiful

buildbeautiful

WITH POTTON


build beautiful

our build

beautiful

buildbeautiful

WITH POTTON

DREAM • TAILOR • CREATE build beautiful

our build

beautiful

buildbeautiful

WITH POTTON


build beautiful

our build

beautiful

buildbeautiful

WITH POTTON


How TO

Finance a self-build

Top Plot

Hunting

Pitfalls

REV

EALED

As featured On theCover

THE HOT-SPOT HOGGER

If your little monsters are winning the

war for warmth, then you need to

rethink your radiators. Our tailor-made

underfl oor heating systems make

sensational snugness child’s play.

No more mighty battles with tiny

dragons over your cosy castle. It’s time

to break free from bad heating.

Visit heatingasitshouldbe.co.uk

or call 01404 540700 to plan

your escape.

#timetobreakfree

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


10 1101CASE STUDY 01


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.


w orkingotton...with

By Paul Newman

12 13


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’:


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

14 1514



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


A Taste Of New Zealand In The UK

oldly Bespoke B16 1702CASE STUDY 02


Location: Peterborough

Land cost: £155,000 Build cost: £365,000 Current value: £575,000 approx.


Project Facts


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”


i

18 19


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…


SR

By Tom Allen

20 21


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.


ANDTHE

22 23


Location: Surrey

Land cost: £225,000 (including existing bungalow)


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)


Value: £1.5 -£ 1.7m

Project Facts

Location: Cambridgeshire


Build cost: £1,600 / m2

Value: £1.3m

Project Facts

Location: Kent

Land cost: £480,000 (including service connections


Value: £1.45m

Project FactsLocation: Oxfordshire

Land cost: £5,000 purchased in 1990 (Neighbouring garden)


Value: £500,000

Project Facts

Location: Cornwall Land cost: Already owned but plot valued at £200,000


Value: £675,000

Project Facts


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


24 2524



Download a sample Plot Passport at www.gravenhill.co.uk

©Graven Hill

©Graven Hill

3

6

9

5

7IGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD •

?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


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

26


DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DES

27

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

28


Potton Self Build Show Centre Mill Lane, Little Paxton, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 6EF

Opening Times:Tuesday - Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 4pm

28 29

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


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 • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD

30 31

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.

6

7

6 52

1

7 4

3

Self Build Show Centre St Neots, PE19 6EF

88

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

5

4

3

2

1

Show CentreVisit Our

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 • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD


32 33

DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD • DESIGN • PLANNING • BUILD

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.

T

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

T IM

BER WINDOWS

& D O O R S

The revamp includes the replacement of all windows and doors bringing them up to current building regulations with support from Potton joinery supplier, Bereco.

34


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.


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

37

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

T IM

BER WINDOWS

& D O O R S

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



• 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


Build cost: £320,000 plus £98,000 landscaping and endless pool



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.

T IM

BER WINDOWS

& D O O R S

40 41


YOUR FIRST12 ISSUES FOR £12

Your invaluable source of information & inspiration at any stage of your project.

Why subscribe? • Save over 75% off the cover price in your fi rst year• Each issue delivered directly to your door• 2 free tickets to each SelfBuild & Design Show for every subscriber*• Plus exclusive access to beginners guides & over 100 case studies online

Whatever you’re looking for, SelfBuild & Design can help: • Expert fi nancial & legal advice for your project• Plot listings & planning clinics• Building methods, materials & eco-solutions • Interior inspiration & design tips• Product spotlights & Q&As with the industry experts

Call: 01283 742970 or visit: shop.selfbuildanddesign.com/subO er/POTBB

*Please apply for your free tickets by calling 01283 742970. 75% off the cover price of £4.50. UK, Direct Debit offer only. Continues at £36 every 12 months thereafter unless you cancel. New subscribers only.

Special subscription o� er for readers

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.


S42 4342


04ISSUE 4 POTTON.CO.UK



Build cost: £1,600/m2 (approx

Current value: £1.3m


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


e know we performW

44 45


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


46 47


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.”


Floorplans


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.


CASE STUDY 05


Location: Hampshire Land cost: £520,000


Current value: £1.5m Floor area: 274m2 / 2949 sq ft

Project Facts


As featured on

CHANNEL 4

T IM

BER WINDOWS

& D O O R S

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

[email protected]

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


50 5150



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...

T IM

BER WINDOWS

& D O O R S




“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.”






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


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.


CASE STUDY 07

A L ocalMove54 55


Location: Hampshire


Build cost: £295,000 Current value: £850,000


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.

[email protected]

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

The home of Self Build

Custom Build & Renovation

The UK’s ONly permanent

visitor centre for self builders, custom builders and renovators

J16, M4 SwindonSN5 8UB

Open Tuesday

to Sunday 10:00-17:30 FREE entry!

NSBRC_Generic_Build_Beautiful_Ad_A5_Landscape.indd 1 25/10/2017 14:32:40

Cast iron radiators hand made in EnglandUK stores in Chelsea, Wimbledon & Manchester+44 (0) 20 3397 7295 | +44 (0) 161 439 9350

www.castrads.com

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


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


59


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

a issue 4 potton.co.uk flfi˛˛ˇ˘ country cottage … · case, gallery balustrades, newel posts...

Documents