Self Build Project

Are you interested in a self build home on Exmoor?

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Handout created by Ruth McArthur (Exmoor National Park) for the UK National Parks' Conference 22 held in Exmoor.
Exmoor Young Voices Self Build Update
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Click each image to view a PDF version for easy reading.
Read the Exmoor Young Voices Self Build Project Business Plan
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Policies in the Exmoor National Park Local Plan enable self build homes for local people, where they are unable to buy their own home to meet their needs on the open market. Exmoor Young Voices is working closely with Exmoor National Park to make self builds a feasible option for young people wanting to continue living on the moor.
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Exmoor National Park is keen to advise and support those wanting to build their own homes on Exmoor throughout the planning process. We would advise consulting with Park planners at the earliest possible point in order to find out what is possible and how to comply with agreements and policies (i.e. Section 106).

Exmoor Young Voices Self Build Support Scheme
The task of building your own house can seem rather daunting and for some, impossible but it doesn't have to be that way! We are here to provide expert support to Exmoor self builders to help them realise their dreams. Self Builders will complete their own houses, at their own expense (and risk) and will own their houses outright but we can offer help in several useful ways:
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‣ Help finding an inexpensive plot of land (target price around £15,000) where Exmoor National Park are willing to consider planning permission for a S106 (local tie) build.

‣ Free support from self-builder & EYV advisor Justin Tyers to create architectural plans for your self build.

‣ Weald & Downland training on working with natural materials & gaining practical skills.

‣ Help with securing a self build mortgage. We will advise you on the most likely sources & help you make your case.

‣ Support sourcing building materials (with a corporate buying mentality) from not-so-obvious sources.

‣ Mentoring from Justin Tyers to provide you with on-going support through the entire process.

If you are serious about self building and would like a helping hand along the way, get in touch: [email protected]. Simply let us know where you're at in the process (it doesn't matter if you're just starting out) and we'll discuss how we can help you progress.

​Useful links:
A Guide to Custom and Self-Build Affordable Housing on Exmoor (leaflet & checklist by ENPA)
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (including maps showing potential sites for 17 settlements across Exmoor)
Exmoor National Park Land Character Assessment Guidelines
Register your interest in a Self Build on Exmoor
​Local Occupancy Questionnaire for Affordable Housing (ENPA)
Exmoor National Park Self Build Register form for an individual
Section 106 Agreements - Guidance and templates for planning obligations

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We are very lucky to have a self build master as one of the EYV advisors! Let us introduce you to Justin Tyers...
Self-builder Justin Tyers has built two houses and a fifteen ton wooden sailing boat! He is keen to advise, help and encourage members of EYV who wish to build themselves a family home. With a particular interest in the use of natural materials, Justin can also help with the kind of design likely to be suitable for Exmoor and which the Park’s Planning Office might support.
Results from our recent Housing Needs survey showed a lot of interest in Exmoor self builds from the younger generation on the moor. However, we have identified several barriers, including the ability to find a suitable plot of land and the difficulty in securing a mortgage on a section 106 property. These are issues we are currently discussing with ENP and mortgage advisors, and in time, hope to find genuine solutions for.

If you have any questions about self builds on Exmoor, we will do our very best to help you, or failing that, put you in touch with someone who can! Simply drop us an email: [email protected] 

We also encourage you to attend our EYV meetings, where self build properties are a primary topic of discussion.
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Self build Tour
We organised a self build tour for EYV members and young Exmoor residents. The event involved touring several self build properties on Exmoor and meeting their owners. There was also a useful Q&A session with representatives of the National Park. Please download the document below to read our key learning points from the tour, created in collaboration with Exmoor National Park.
EYV Self Build Tour Key Learning Points
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EYV Self Build Tour - Exmoor National Park Press Release
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