In the heart of Catford, London, a quiet street is witnessing a revolution in housing. Will and Sogand Howard, architects by profession, have transformed a neglected garden into a modern, energy-efficient home, challenging the traditional real estate landscape. Their journey, filled with determination and a unique vision, offers a compelling narrative for those seeking alternative housing solutions. This story is not just about building a house; it's about redefining the way we approach homeownership and urban development.
A Dream in the Garden
The Howards' story began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when they found themselves confined to a small flat. With time on their hands, they embarked on a quest to create their dream home. Will recalls, "It started as a bit of a dream, really." The couple's walks around Catford, making notes of big gardens and writing letters to homeowners, were the first steps in a journey that would change their lives. Sogand adds, "Our families thought it was strange. But that's often how the land market works in this country."
The Challenge of Self-Build
The Howards' decision to build their home was driven by their desire for a more affordable and customizable living space. As architects, they understood the potential of self-building, but they also recognized the challenges. Sogand explains, "As architects, we knew that if we bought an older house, we'd end up spending extra to bring it to the standard we wanted. Building gave us another route."
The couple's experience highlights the complexities of the self-build market. They discovered that while opportunities exist, accessing them can be complicated. Many gardens were jointly owned, and planning policies could be inconsistent. Sogand notes, "In theory, identifying small sites is quite easy. The challenge is getting those sites onto the market in a way that ordinary people can actually buy them."
Serendipity Strikes
The Howards' luck changed when they met a family willing to sell their garden plot. Sogand recalls, "They tried to get permission on this site before and they weren't successful. They were stuck and looking for a way to unlock the value of their land." This serendipitous encounter led to the purchase of the garden plot for £200,000, with construction costs totaling £360,000. The result is a modern, energy-efficient home comparable in cost to buying a traditional terrace house, but without the need for extensive renovations.
Planning Permission and Policy
One of the most significant challenges in small-scale building is obtaining planning permission. Will explains, "Because we understood the process as having done it professionally, we were confident about what was achievable on the site." The Howards' success in this area is partly due to the supportive planning policies in Lewisham, which facilitated their self-build project. Sogand adds, "Lewisham had a great small-size policy out at the time, so we knew that it was more possible to do a self-build in this particular area."
The Stifled Land Market
The Howards' experience underscores the need for national guidance on small plots to help more people follow a similar path. They argue that the absence of such policies is a significant barrier to self-build rates in the UK. Sogand states, "The land market in London is challenging, it's quite stifled, there's not that much land available." Recent data supports this, showing a decline in planning permissions for serviced self-build plots in England.
A Ripple Effect
The impact of the Howards' project extends beyond their new home. By freeing up their old flat, they have contributed to easing pressure on the local housing chain. Sogand reflects, "It's not bothersome for local people because it isn't a huge tower block. It makes sense because it's an efficient way to build homes." The couple's business, Bricolage Projects, is now helping others achieve their self-build dreams, proving that small homes can make a significant contribution to easing the capital's housing shortage.
A Transformational Approach
The Howards' story is a testament to the power of innovation and determination in housing. Their journey highlights the potential for small-scale, carefully placed homes to transform urban landscapes. Sogand envisions a future where "if there were lots of self-built plots available, and they were slotted in places that worked, and policy responded to that in a really meaningful way, it could be a transformational way to deliver lots of homes."
In conclusion, the Howards' experience in Catford offers a compelling case for a more inclusive and innovative approach to housing. Their story is a reminder that with the right support and policies, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, one garden at a time.
