This article explores alternative building methods for constructing a sustainable and energy-efficient home. It discusses the challenges of traditional building methods, the importance of site selection and orientation, and the regulatory considerations for self-building projects. The author emphasizes the need for careful planning, professional expertise, and a thorough understanding of building regulations.
A modern, fit-for-purpose, sustainable home built from natural materials with low running costs is the dream of many people today. We have all encountered so-called traditional builds that fall far short of that goal and, as a chartered building surveyor asked to carry out pre-purchase inspections, I’ve encountered a plethora of shortcomings, even in brand new homes built under improved building regulation controls.
Of course, it is the goal of anyone investing in a home to ensure that it is warm, healthy and sustainable, despite the challenges that come with self-building. Although there are obstacles, it is worthwhile exploring methods that are not utilised by mainstream builders and which use tried-and-tested methods of construction using masonry. However, these older methods are becoming increasingly fraught with complication as we strive to improve energy efficiency standards. \Starting the process for many home builders begins with finding an appropriate site fitting their needs that has the potential to attain a planning grant. Sites in or close to towns and villages with zoning for residential development are increasingly expensive, while more affordable sites in open countryside may come with a “locals” restriction. Therefore, ensuring, as much as possible that a site will secure planning must be a prerequisite before purchasing one. ‘Is it true we have no legal right to our sea view?’It’s important to note from a sustainability perspective that sites in rural locations come with added costs such as residents having to travel to schools and shops and so on, as well as additional development costs for providing wastewater treatment, site access, electricity and water supply. Hopefully the site you have already bought will not present undue difficulties with regard to such issues. The orientation of your site will be important from a sustainable perspective since availing of a good southerly aspect will assist with solar energy gain and improve your occupational wellbeing. A north-facing or size-limited site might be more challenging. I assume you have finance in place. If borrowing, check with a lender if they have any restrictions on build methods and also that their requisite insurance is not limited to sometimes unsustainable traditional methods using masonry. \The planning process in itself will not limit your build method but will constrain the size, shape and position of your build, as well as its external appearance, also ensuring that factors such as wastewater and road access are properly considered. While the help offered by well-meaning family or friends can be useful – as well as cost-effective – be careful You normally will need an appropriate professional to design the house and site layout before lodging a planning application along with a wastewater assessor if a public sewer is not available. Of course, you could do this step yourself, but care and time will be needed and generally, unless you possess the skills yourself, I don’t advise this in order to avoid potential pitfalls. Planning regulations have recently been revised and at time of writing are about to come into law. Although they have streamlined older sets of legislation, the new regulations still run to more than 750 pages of highly technical and complex detail, so I don’t recommend tackling this yourself..) This will require details of your proposed build method with provisions you intend for limiting energy losses. It also requires a target Ber and an energy assessment by anIncreasingly building control are sceptical about alternative methods of construction such as straw panel or systems that don’t employ an outer skin of blockwork, so truly sustainable building methods are becoming more difficult to prove at the required validation stage, even when going the so-called opt-out route. Because you will be investing what is probably the biggest outlay for many families, it is important that the longevity and safety of the build method is fully considered. Just a note of caution here, as there have been many instances when build methods that seemed like a good idea at the time have failed, sometimes with catastrophic results. This is why building regulations came into force to ensure the build will be safe and secure using tried and tested method
Sustainable Building Alternative Construction Methods Home Building Planning Permission Building Regulations
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