Greenbelt Development
Greenbelt development could be given a massive boost by revolutionary plans to earmark thousands of homes for self-commissioning, where homeowners get to choose their own architects and designs.
A potential model for combating opposition to new homes on previously undeveloped land is being mooted in Harlow, where the first phase of a 25,000 home urban extension is now being debated at public inquiry, with an inspector's report expected in the next two weeks.
The developer - Ropemaker Properties, the property arm of BP's pension fund - believes the scheme must meet the highest standards of sustainability to justify its development on greenfield land to the north of Harlow.
It proposes earmarking up to 4,000 of the 25,000 new homes for self commissioning. The development would be governed by a masterplan and design codes, but homeowners would be free to create their own designs within that framework.
'Self commissioners can play a particularly valuable role in establishing a new community because they are investing an awful lot in the area and tend to be resourceful people,' said Cabe commissioner Dickon Robinson. 'I would go so far as to say that any new development over a certain size ought to include serviced plots for self-commissioners.'
Self-commissioning is common on the continent, accounting for up to 50% of new-build private housing in some countries, but is rare in the UK.
architect Paul Murrain, who has been working on the development for two years, says communities are now consulted on planning as a matter of course, but this does not filter through to the building and design, which is usually handed over to large housebuilders. This is what he hopes to remedy. 'It's a political thing, it's an ideological thing and it's a way of getting much more diversity than you otherwise would,' he said.
The environmental consultant Beyond Green, which has been managing the project, has been inspired by the example of Freiburg in Germany.
'When people are co-producing their homes with the local authorities, they are expressing in physical form the way they want to live,' said Beyond Green development director Stephen Green. 'People make quite different choices from what they are offered by developers.
'If you ask anybody, their secret desire is to build their own homes. It's the ultimate in controlling your environment and giving you security.'
A number of other sustainable features are proposed for Harlow, including a 'living bridge' - a wide, tree-lined bridge with shops, cafes, restaurants and apartments - to connect Harlow North to the existing town centre.
The allocation of the first 10,000 homes proposed for Harlow North in the East of England development plan is now out to public inquiry. The inspector will make a recommendation to the Department for Communities & Local Government in the next two weeks.
Freiburg - a model for Harlow
Freiburg's commitment to environmental and social responsibility evolved following the German government?s decision to build a nuclear power station nearby 20 years ago. The aftereffects of Chernobyl united liberal townspeople and deeply conservative farmers, and created a tight-knit community.
Self-commissioners have now built about 700 homes, either in groups of five to 12 terraced houses of small blocks of up to 16 flats.
The plots were bought from the city council in an open market tender process.
According to Beyond Green director Stephen Hill: 'The collaborative process of design, involving friends and future neighbours, enables them to make more personalised design choices than a developer ever would. Design choices are choices about how people intend to live together, and therefore reinforce the values that new residents bring with them about their hopes and aspirations for a high standard of living.'
Date: Saturday 10th June, 2006
