Pilot DIY housing scheme on the cards (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pilot DIY housing scheme on the cards

10:30am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Local By David Wiles

INNOVATIVE residents could soon be able to design and build their own dream homes in Fresh-brook under a plan by Swindon Council.

The council was last night set to allocate part of the site of the former Windmill Hill School, off Uxbridge Road, to be developed with 12 two- or three-bedroom houses.

The project would see the council go into a partnership agreement with BuildStore Financial Services, which operates the National Self Build Centre, in Swindon.

The scheme, which was expected to be given the go-ahead by Cabinet last night, aims to provide high-quality housing at a cheaper cost than through a normal developer – and if it is successful, the council will consider making more land available for self-build schemes.

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, Swindon Council’s cabinet member for council transformation, transport and strategic planning, said: “Working with a partner organisation to provide expertise means hopefully the end result will be cheaper than paying a developer.”

Windmill Hill School was declared surplus to requirements on the completion of Millbrook Primary School and, following an arson attack, the buildings were demolished in 2011.

Following an investigation of council-owned sites suitable for a self-build scheme, the part of the site previously occupied by the school buildings was identified as preferable to two others.

Coun Greenhalgh said: “It’s a self-contained site within an area of existing housing. It’s difficult to think of any other type of scheme that would work in this specific location.”

On completion of the partnership agreement, Swindon Council would submit an application for outline planning permission to establish the overall layout, with plots being subject to a general design code to ensure that the completed houses, although individual, form a cohesive development.

On the granting of planning permission, BuildStore would market the plots at an agreed price, which would at least recover the council’s costs.

Once purchasers are under contract for all 12 plots, the council would construct the access road and footpaths and bring utilities to the edge of plots. BuildStore would then provide project management support for the self-builders to start work.

There could be a second phase of homes on the southern part of the site after its protection as a school playing field expires in 2019.

The overall project would cost the council £40,000 for legal, design and planning application fees, plus a further £380,000 for up-front capital investment to prepare the site for plot sales.

Coun Jim Grant, leader of Swindon Council’s Labour group, said: “Labour is supportive of this proposal as it addresses Swindon’s housing shortage and also allows the builders to have a stake in the homes.

“If this project is successful we would be keen to roll out these kind of projects on a larger scale elsewhere.”