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[20] A Free Plot, a Seven Month Build, and a House He Cannot Sell
Map data: Google

Location

  • South East England

Build Start

  • ~2001

Architect

  • John Rees

Total Floor Area

  • 149 m²
  • [Source: Estimate ]
Ben Law spent ten years living in canvas and caravans while he fought for the right to stay in the woods. When permission finally landed, he built a 149m² woodland home in about seven months using his own timber, volunteer labour, and a design process worked backwards from whatever materials he had to hand. The catch is brutal. The house is tied to his woodland business, he cannot sell it like a normal home, and if he leaves, it has to come down.

Site Purchase Price

  • £ 0

Site Area

  • 27,496m²

Site Cost Per m²

  • £ 0

Initial Budget

  • £ 54,400

Total Spend

  • £ 61,000

Budget Overspend

  • 12.13%

Cost Per m²

  • £ 408

Site Coverage

  • 0.54%

Plot Ratio

  • 0.54%
All Figures Indexed To
  • 02 May 2025

Construction Type

  • Cladding, Cruck Framing, Lime Plaster, Plaster, Straw Bale, Timber Frame, Wooden Shingles

Materials

  • Clay, Lime, Locally Sourced, Natural, Oak, Straw, Wood

Features

  • Cheap Construction, Eco-Friendly, Outdoor Living Space, Solar Panels, Views, Woodland Setting

Ben Law spent ten years living in canvas and caravans while he fought for the right to stay in the woods. When permission finally landed, he built a 149m² woodland home in about seven months using his own timber, volunteer labour, and a design process worked backwards from whatever materials he had to hand. The catch is brutal. The house is tied to his woodland business, he cannot sell it like a normal home, and if he leaves, it has to come down.

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Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 1
Be Prepared For Lengthy Planning Processes

Allow ample time for obtaining planning permissions, especially in protected areas. Ben’s journey to secure permission took ten years. Conduct thorough research and follow local regulations to ensure your project can proceed smoothly.

  • Planning Permission, Time Management

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 2
Understand Your Site

Live on the site before building to understand the natural elements such as sunlight and weather patterns. This knowledge can inform the design of the structure to maximise energy efficiency and comfort.

  • Buying Land, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 3
Leverage Local Resources

Utilise materials from your immediate environment to reduce costs and enhance sustainability. Ben sourced timber and insulation from his own woodland, showcasing the advantages of local materials.

  • Buying Land, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 4
Adopt Traditional Techniques

Employing time-tested building methods, like the cruck frame which utilises roundwood, can result in strong, aesthetically pleasing structures. Explore local crafts and techniques that resonate with your build’s context.

  • Design, Materials, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 5
Build A Supportive Community

Engage friends and locals in your project. Ben relied on a volunteer workforce, fostering camaraderie and shared learning experiences. Keeping volunteers happy with good food and a positive environment significantly contributes to morale and productivity.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 6
Remain Adaptable

Be prepared for unexpected challenges during construction, such as logistics and human resources availability. Ben’s experience highlighted the need to adapt plans based on the skills and numbers of helpers present at any time.

  • Design, Time Management

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 7
Use Cost-Effective Materials

Look for cost-effective and eco-friendly materials. In Ben’s case, barley straw bales provided both a thermal envelope and structural properties at a fraction of the cost of conventional materials.

  • Materials, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 8
Plan For Future Needs

Consider future adaptations to your home or changing family needs when designing your build. Ben’s forethought allowed him to later add bedrooms for his children without significant alterations.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 9
Prioritise Functional Design

Ensure the design of your home is functional as well as aesthetic. Ben Prioritised light and openness, which created a warm and inviting space, contributing to the house’s overall comfort.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 10
Foster Connection With Nature

Create spaces that bring the outside in, using design elements that allow for interaction with the surrounding environment. Ben’s house was designed to integrate seamlessly with the woodland landscape.

  • Design, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 11
Monitor Budget Closely

While Ben’s project was largely successful, it’s crucial to keep a close check on spending. Aim for a realistic budget that encompasses all aspects of the build, keeping in mind the fluctuating costs of materials and unforeseen expenses.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 12
Embrace Sustainable Living

Incorporate sustainable practices into your lifestyle, as Ben did with renewable energy sources (solar and wind power), which made his home self-sufficient. This not only minimises environmental impact but can also lead to reduced living costs.

  • Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 13
Document The Process

Capture the journey of your build. Not only does this create lasting memories, but it can also serve as a reference for troubleshooting issues in the future or for communicating your vision to others.

  • Reflections

Grand Review

  • 20

Lesson Learned

  • 14
Enjoy The Process

Lastly, embrace the joy of building and the unique challenges it entails. Maintaining a positive attitude and having fun throughout the building process can enhance the overall experience and create memorable moments.

  • Reflections

Acknowledgment:

This is a non-commercial review carried out for the purposes of study in developing an understanding of the requirements of self-build in the UK.

The views and opinions expressed are my own and is not affiliated in any way with Grand Designs or Channel 4.  All information on this page has been gathered from publicly available sources.

The plot/site information was located using Land Registry and The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Data which contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The lessons learned are derived from my interpretations and observations of a publicly disseminated case study and are in no way meant to be a substitute to the original.

Click here to view the original case study on the Channel 4 website.

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