Bevendean History Project
Hogs Edge Self Build Newspaper Articles etc
WE'VE DONE IT: self-builders are preparing to move into their own homes Eco-friendly homes in Brighton which they will never own
Our DIY houses with the lawn on the top.
Once the last bit of painting and wiring is completed and a few final checks carried out, families will begin to move in.
It is the culmination of a dream by a group of People determined to have a roof over their heads and united only by their desire to provide a decent home for their families. Not only have they solved their long-term housing needs but created a community.
It has been a long hard struggle and the self-builders, who call themselves the Hedgehog Housing Co-Operative, have had to cope with all manner of problems.
There have been the inevitable disagreements which arise when a large group is trying to work together, as well as the initial misunderstanding of neighbours.
Personal relationships have been strained and some of those who started out on the project pulled out.
There has also been the constant battle to secure adequate funding and the limits imposed by the group's own lack of experience. Many had little knowledge of even basic DIY skills, let alone the ability to run a £700,000 housing contract.
The project began seven years ago when traveller Paul Crouch, 36, and his partner decided it was time to settle down for the sake of their young daughter.
After months of meetings with council chiefs, planning officers and housing associations a deal was hatched with
South London Family Housing, which bought land at Norwich Drive for the development.
It was agreed the housing association would provide the materials; the self-builders would provide the labour.
Once their homes were built the families would hold secure tenancies and pay a reduced rent.
When the paperwork was completed, the couple began the search for their new neighbours and names were drawn from a hat.
Members were chosen on housing need rather than for their building skills; participants include a teacher, a museum curator, a care worker, two musicians, a nurse, a computer engineer and a merchant seaman.
FINAL TOUCHES: Almost moving day at Bevendean and Debbie Seacombe wields a paintbrush as Paul Crouch checks one of the turf roofs.
The group, which includes 13 children moved on site in December, 1997.
For months their only water supply came from a helpful neighbour's garden tap.
Child care needs were met by a creche set up in a portable cabin.
An architect was commissioned to draw up plans for ten houses which would have a minimal environmental impact.
With full disabled access, the homes make use of locally grown timber. recycled newspapers for insulation and passive solar heating.
Among the most distinctive features are the lush, green roofs on which it is hoped to grow herbs, attract wildlife like butterflies and worms, as well as provide valuable insulation.
Each family was required to do 30 hours' work a week.
Paul said: “If someone asked you to work 30 hours a week for three years for no money, building an entire house which you will have to pay rent for and never be able to sell, most people would say “No way, that's a real rip-off.”
“But they are the people who will still be in the council system ten years from now. The advantage is this is a secure tenancy for life. It's as good as your own.”
He added: “Many of the families here were living in tiny council flats with nowhere for the kids to play. This was the last chance to get some sort of secure housing.”
Single mum Debbie Seacombe 36, and her eight-year-old daughter Rosa were invited to join the scheme after a self-builder pulled out.
Once, Debbie was offered a small, one-bedroom council flat.
Now the pair are preparing to move into a spacious two-bedroom home complete with a veranda overlooking the sea.
She said: “In Brighton tenants have to face insecurity and high rents.”
“We are told ownership is the way forward but I don't believe that. It excludes so many from living in decent housing.”
Debbie added: “The sense of achievement in building your house is amazing”.
“And it's not just building skills. It's about learning to get along together.
“As we were building the houses, we were also building a community.”
Paul stressed the hardships experienced by Hedgehog Housing Cooperative had taught the group a lot to help other sell-build groups.
He urged Brighton and Hove Council to devote more of its resources into self-building schemes to help meet housing needs in the area.
From the Evening Argus on 12 April 2000
Our DIY houses with the lawn on the top.
 |
WITH house prices booming and rents rocketing, the battle to find
decent housing at an affordable price is a familiar tale of woe for
many residents in Brighton and Hove. Ten families decided to solve
their housing needs once and for all and build their own. Three years
later, they are preparing to move into their dream homes. On a hill looking across Brighton and out to sea, a unique community has been created on a disused plot of land. A few years ago, this was rubbish-strewn waste ground on the edge of Bevendean. Today, ten eco-friendly bungalows stand on wooden stilts, their distinctive roofs covered in green turf. |
| SETTLED: Traveller turned builder |
Once the last bit of painting and wiring is completed and a few final checks carried out, families will begin to move in.
It is the culmination of a dream by a group of People determined to have a roof over their heads and united only by their desire to provide a decent home for their families. Not only have they solved their long-term housing needs but created a community.
It has been a long hard struggle and the self-builders, who call themselves the Hedgehog Housing Co-Operative, have had to cope with all manner of problems.
There have been the inevitable disagreements which arise when a large group is trying to work together, as well as the initial misunderstanding of neighbours.
Personal relationships have been strained and some of those who started out on the project pulled out.
There has also been the constant battle to secure adequate funding and the limits imposed by the group's own lack of experience. Many had little knowledge of even basic DIY skills, let alone the ability to run a £700,000 housing contract.
The project began seven years ago when traveller Paul Crouch, 36, and his partner decided it was time to settle down for the sake of their young daughter.
After months of meetings with council chiefs, planning officers and housing associations a deal was hatched with
South London Family Housing, which bought land at Norwich Drive for the development.
It was agreed the housing association would provide the materials; the self-builders would provide the labour.
Once their homes were built the families would hold secure tenancies and pay a reduced rent.
When the paperwork was completed, the couple began the search for their new neighbours and names were drawn from a hat.
Members were chosen on housing need rather than for their building skills; participants include a teacher, a museum curator, a care worker, two musicians, a nurse, a computer engineer and a merchant seaman.
FINAL TOUCHES: Almost moving day at Bevendean and Debbie Seacombe wields a paintbrush as Paul Crouch checks one of the turf roofs.
The group, which includes 13 children moved on site in December, 1997.
For months their only water supply came from a helpful neighbour's garden tap.
Child care needs were met by a creche set up in a portable cabin.
An architect was commissioned to draw up plans for ten houses which would have a minimal environmental impact.
With full disabled access, the homes make use of locally grown timber. recycled newspapers for insulation and passive solar heating.
Among the most distinctive features are the lush, green roofs on which it is hoped to grow herbs, attract wildlife like butterflies and worms, as well as provide valuable insulation.
Each family was required to do 30 hours' work a week.
Paul said: “If someone asked you to work 30 hours a week for three years for no money, building an entire house which you will have to pay rent for and never be able to sell, most people would say “No way, that's a real rip-off.”
“But they are the people who will still be in the council system ten years from now. The advantage is this is a secure tenancy for life. It's as good as your own.”
He added: “Many of the families here were living in tiny council flats with nowhere for the kids to play. This was the last chance to get some sort of secure housing.”
Single mum Debbie Seacombe 36, and her eight-year-old daughter Rosa were invited to join the scheme after a self-builder pulled out.
Once, Debbie was offered a small, one-bedroom council flat.
Now the pair are preparing to move into a spacious two-bedroom home complete with a veranda overlooking the sea.
She said: “In Brighton tenants have to face insecurity and high rents.”
“We are told ownership is the way forward but I don't believe that. It excludes so many from living in decent housing.”
Debbie added: “The sense of achievement in building your house is amazing”.
“And it's not just building skills. It's about learning to get along together.
“As we were building the houses, we were also building a community.”
Paul stressed the hardships experienced by Hedgehog Housing Cooperative had taught the group a lot to help other sell-build groups.
He urged Brighton and Hove Council to devote more of its resources into self-building schemes to help meet housing needs in the area.
From the Evening Argus on 12 April 2000
Ten Families get together for a Self Build
BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS: Fulvio Radovini was sceptical about the project, but now is happy he took part. Tenants who really did their homework.
FULVIO Radovini suffered from vertigo until he started building his own home two-and-a-half years ago.
However, he soon overcame his fear of heights when it came to putting the grass-covered roof on the Scandinavian-style house he and his family have just moved into.
Mr Radovini and his partner Brigitta Richards were among ten families who formed the Hedgehog Housing Co-operative where everyone spent a minimum of 30 hours a week constructing their own homes in Bevendean, Brighton.
The houses were finally completed this summer and an official open day will be held at their new street Hogs Edge, off Norwich Drive, tomorrow.
Mr Radovini, who works as a lifeguard, said: "I didn't have any intention of building my own house at first.
"When I found out an old friend of mine was involved in this co-operative I decided to sign up as well.
"I had to give up my full-time job and my girlfriend and I had to juggle building with looking after the kids and having a bit of a life.
"The hardest part was getting along with every¬one, not because anyone was nasty, but because you need to keep a balance. "You soon realise if you don't do something, someone else has to do it.
"We also had some problems with the Housing Association and the sub-contractors.
"I did wonder if it was worth it. After all, we weren't going to own the homes and we would still have to pay rent. But now we all really appreciate it."
The self-build project started in 1996 when traveller Paul Crouch and his partner Jennie Coyte decided to settle down with their seven-year-old daughter.
They saw a self-build project in Hollingbury and made inquiries with Brighton and Hove Council and housing associations.
After months of meetings with council chiefs, planning officers and housing associations, they secured a deal with the South London Family Housing Association, which bought a former rubbish dump for the development.
They then trawled through lists of families who were waiting to be permanently housed in the area and, after a meeting with interested parties, they drew names out of a hat.
The participants included a teacher, a museum curator, a care worker, a computer engineer and a merchant seaman.
A creche was set up for the 13 children in the group while their parents worked on the houses. The homes are built on stilts on a hillside and the grass roofs and wooden structures place them among the most energy-efficient in the country.
They have been built using the Walter Segal method, which means internal walls are not part of the structure, giving tenants a choice of layout.
Sam Carroll, a musician, said the work had been harder than she expected, but she was delighted with the result.
She said: "Me, my husband and our three kids were living in temporary housing. This meant we had to move every six months.
"When we moved in here it was a bit of a nonstop party. I just love it. It doesn't matter that we don't own our home. It feels like it's ours. We built, it, we have an assured tenancy and rent is paid at a reduced rate."
"I would definitely recommend self-build. It's a way of helping yourself get exactly what you want."
From the Evening Argus on 10 October 2000
BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS: Fulvio Radovini was sceptical about the project, but now is happy he took part. Tenants who really did their homework.
FULVIO Radovini suffered from vertigo until he started building his own home two-and-a-half years ago.
However, he soon overcame his fear of heights when it came to putting the grass-covered roof on the Scandinavian-style house he and his family have just moved into.
Mr Radovini and his partner Brigitta Richards were among ten families who formed the Hedgehog Housing Co-operative where everyone spent a minimum of 30 hours a week constructing their own homes in Bevendean, Brighton.
The houses were finally completed this summer and an official open day will be held at their new street Hogs Edge, off Norwich Drive, tomorrow.
Mr Radovini, who works as a lifeguard, said: "I didn't have any intention of building my own house at first.
"When I found out an old friend of mine was involved in this co-operative I decided to sign up as well.
"I had to give up my full-time job and my girlfriend and I had to juggle building with looking after the kids and having a bit of a life.
"The hardest part was getting along with every¬one, not because anyone was nasty, but because you need to keep a balance. "You soon realise if you don't do something, someone else has to do it.
"We also had some problems with the Housing Association and the sub-contractors.
"I did wonder if it was worth it. After all, we weren't going to own the homes and we would still have to pay rent. But now we all really appreciate it."
The self-build project started in 1996 when traveller Paul Crouch and his partner Jennie Coyte decided to settle down with their seven-year-old daughter.
They saw a self-build project in Hollingbury and made inquiries with Brighton and Hove Council and housing associations.
After months of meetings with council chiefs, planning officers and housing associations, they secured a deal with the South London Family Housing Association, which bought a former rubbish dump for the development.
They then trawled through lists of families who were waiting to be permanently housed in the area and, after a meeting with interested parties, they drew names out of a hat.
The participants included a teacher, a museum curator, a care worker, a computer engineer and a merchant seaman.
A creche was set up for the 13 children in the group while their parents worked on the houses. The homes are built on stilts on a hillside and the grass roofs and wooden structures place them among the most energy-efficient in the country.
They have been built using the Walter Segal method, which means internal walls are not part of the structure, giving tenants a choice of layout.
Sam Carroll, a musician, said the work had been harder than she expected, but she was delighted with the result.
She said: "Me, my husband and our three kids were living in temporary housing. This meant we had to move every six months.
"When we moved in here it was a bit of a nonstop party. I just love it. It doesn't matter that we don't own our home. It feels like it's ours. We built, it, we have an assured tenancy and rent is paid at a reduced rate."
"I would definitely recommend self-build. It's a way of helping yourself get exactly what you want."
From the Evening Argus on 10 October 2000
People who constructed their own homes own wooden homes form a close community on the edge of the downs
HOGS EDGE is probably one of the most unusual streets in Brighton.
In an age where developers are queuing up to sell their latest homes, residents are smiling at how they avoided high housing costs.
The reason? They built the street themselves.
Completed in the summer of 2000, the ten houses have grass roofs and are built on stilts.
The wooden structures are among the most energy-efficient in the country.
The self-build project started in 1996 when traveller Paul Crouch and his partner Jennie Coyte decided to settle down with their seven-year-old daughter.
They saw a self-build project in Hollingbury, Brighton, and made inquiries with Brighton and Hove Council and housing associations.
After months of meetings with council chiefs, planning officers and housing associations, they secured a deal with the South London
Family Housing Association, which bought a former rubbish dump for the development on the northern edge of Brighton.
The development was finished seven years ago and the children particularly enjoyed growing up together near open countryside on the northern edge of Bevendean, Brighton.
They trawled lists of families waiting to be permanently housed and, after a meeting with interested parties, drew names out of a hat.
The participants included a teacher, a museum curator, a care worker, a computer engineer and a merchant seaman.
A creche was set up for the 13 children in the group while their parents worked on the houses, putting in a minimum of 30 hours a week constructing their own homes.
One of those was Samantha Carroll, 38.
She said: "It took us about two and a half years to build. We moved in in May 2000."
Gina Simmonds, 37, said: "It was brilliant - we were building our own home. It was a fantastic experience and I loved every minute of it."
Ms Carroll, who works at Sussex University, said: "We got to know each other - we're like a big family."
So strong is the bond between residents, they regularly gather to hold their own celebrations for Halloween, bonfire night and a harvest supper every year - much to the delight of the street's children.
Ten-year-old Harvey Payne said he loves growing up in an area surrounded by countryside but only a bus journey away from the city centre.
Bertie Steele, whose mother Donna was pregnant while the houses were being built, has spent her whole life there.
She said: "Everyone is really friendly and we have a field behind us full of sheep."
Nursery nurse Brigitta Richards, 38, said even though the housing association owns the properties, there is no way she would move.
She said: "It was really fantastic. If I could build my own house again I would do it tomorrow. We all come from different backgrounds and different positions and it was great to make so many good friends.
"We don't have this thing where we live in each other’s pockets but we are close-knit. We still have monthly meetings."
Brighton Museum worker Michael Olden, 45, who is Ms Steele's partner and Bertie's father, said the street was like a big shop sometimes.
He said: "We borrow things off each other all the time. One of the benefits of building your own house with your neighbours is that you get to know them very well. All the children have grown up together.
"I would recommend building your own house to anybody who wants to get to know their neigh-bours."
With its distinctive look and feel, Hogs Edge has been created by the residents - but what cannot be manufactured is the sense of community.
From The Argus on 20 September 2007
HOGS EDGE is probably one of the most unusual streets in Brighton.
In an age where developers are queuing up to sell their latest homes, residents are smiling at how they avoided high housing costs.
The reason? They built the street themselves.
Completed in the summer of 2000, the ten houses have grass roofs and are built on stilts.
The wooden structures are among the most energy-efficient in the country.
The self-build project started in 1996 when traveller Paul Crouch and his partner Jennie Coyte decided to settle down with their seven-year-old daughter.
They saw a self-build project in Hollingbury, Brighton, and made inquiries with Brighton and Hove Council and housing associations.
After months of meetings with council chiefs, planning officers and housing associations, they secured a deal with the South London
Family Housing Association, which bought a former rubbish dump for the development on the northern edge of Brighton.
The development was finished seven years ago and the children particularly enjoyed growing up together near open countryside on the northern edge of Bevendean, Brighton.
They trawled lists of families waiting to be permanently housed and, after a meeting with interested parties, drew names out of a hat.
The participants included a teacher, a museum curator, a care worker, a computer engineer and a merchant seaman.
A creche was set up for the 13 children in the group while their parents worked on the houses, putting in a minimum of 30 hours a week constructing their own homes.
One of those was Samantha Carroll, 38.
She said: "It took us about two and a half years to build. We moved in in May 2000."
Gina Simmonds, 37, said: "It was brilliant - we were building our own home. It was a fantastic experience and I loved every minute of it."
Ms Carroll, who works at Sussex University, said: "We got to know each other - we're like a big family."
So strong is the bond between residents, they regularly gather to hold their own celebrations for Halloween, bonfire night and a harvest supper every year - much to the delight of the street's children.
Ten-year-old Harvey Payne said he loves growing up in an area surrounded by countryside but only a bus journey away from the city centre.
Bertie Steele, whose mother Donna was pregnant while the houses were being built, has spent her whole life there.
She said: "Everyone is really friendly and we have a field behind us full of sheep."
Nursery nurse Brigitta Richards, 38, said even though the housing association owns the properties, there is no way she would move.
She said: "It was really fantastic. If I could build my own house again I would do it tomorrow. We all come from different backgrounds and different positions and it was great to make so many good friends.
"We don't have this thing where we live in each other’s pockets but we are close-knit. We still have monthly meetings."
Brighton Museum worker Michael Olden, 45, who is Ms Steele's partner and Bertie's father, said the street was like a big shop sometimes.
He said: "We borrow things off each other all the time. One of the benefits of building your own house with your neighbours is that you get to know them very well. All the children have grown up together.
"I would recommend building your own house to anybody who wants to get to know their neigh-bours."
With its distinctive look and feel, Hogs Edge has been created by the residents - but what cannot be manufactured is the sense of community.
From The Argus on 20 September 2007
