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Building new homes in back gardens can actually bring positive benefits to a community says Jason Orme, Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, in response to yesterday’s Government announcement that councils in England are to get greater powers to stop developers building homes on gardens.

“While it’s fair to say that many gardens end up being turned into large apartment blocks, an equally large number end up being turned into modestly-sized, appropriate, sustainable individual homes that meet the direct needs of local people.” said Jason. “Building homes in this way increases housing stock and protects our countryside.”

There is concern that restricting the ability to build homes on gardens will further impact on the housing shortage, reported to be at crisis point by the Home Builders Federation in March. The rapid growth of the UK population – estimated to reach 70 million by 2029 – means there is a continual and urgent need for more housing stock. The biggest problem is where these houses can be built. Planners say that stopping ‘garden grabbing’ could mean more development on greenfield sites. “If its garden grabbing out, then it may be countryside grabbing in.” said The Planning Officers Society.

It was only in December that Grant Shapps, the Housing Minister, said that he wanted to tap into the vast number of people who are now willing to build their own homes. “Whilst house-building in general has been suffering, the self-build community has been growing. Most people will be surprised to learn that last year the second largest home builder wasn’t one of the big household names but an army of individuals who call themselves self-builders.”

Julian Owen, from Nottingham based Julian Owen Architects and member of the Association of Self Build Architects, comments “We find that self builders tend to be more sensitive about the build process, focussing on sustainable homes that are environmentally friendly and that blend appropriately with the local architecture.”

“The majority of self build homes are built on garden land” says Michael Holmes, spokesperson for The Homebuilding & Renovating Shows. “In simple terms, making it harder to get planning permission to build new homes on gardens means it will be more difficult for ordinary people to build their own home.”

To find out more about building your own home or how this new policy could affect your building plans, visit The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on at Sandown Park, Surrey on 26 & 27 June. For more information and tickets visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call 0844 5811377.

Are you interested in picking up the latest in innovative products and services, inspirational design ideas, renovation tips and cost saving solutions for the home? Then look no further! The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, the UK’s only dedicated self-build and home improvement show, is at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet on 21^st & 22^nd November.

The South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show features over 120 exhibitors, 36 free seminars and masterclasses as well as the unique opportunity to get advice from the Experts. This really is a must-visit event.

Whether you are looking for land to build your own home, want to extend your property to create an open plan kitchen or are thinking about converting your loft or basement to create extra space, you will find the products, services, advice and information to help create your perfect home.

Want to find out more about how you can improve your home? Then attend How to Successfully Add Space and Value to your Home’, a free seminar at 11.30am on both days. Concerned about your impact on the environment and want to do more? Learn more about reducing your carbon footprint by attending ‘How to Heat Your Home for Nothing: Dream or Reality?’ a free seminar at 1.30pm on both days.

If you’re still at the planning stage of your building project, then take along your drawings, plans or just your ideas and speak to one of the many experts at the Show and get some great advice.

For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk. Tickets are £5 in advance by calling 0844 5811377 or £8 on the door (children under 16 go free).

Are you interested in picking up the latest in innovative products and services, inspirational design ideas, renovation tips and cost saving solutions for the home? Then look no further! The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, the UK’s only dedicated self-build and home improvement show, is coming to Harrogate from 6^th to 8^th November.

On at Harrogate International Centre, The Northern Homebuilding & Renovating Show features over 210 exhibitors, 54 free seminars and masterclasses as well as the unique opportunity to get advice from the Experts. This really is a must-visit event.

Whether you are looking for land to build your own home, want to extend your property to create an open plan kitchen or are thinking about converting your loft or basement to create extra space, you will find the products, services, advice and information to help create your perfect home.

Want to find out more about how you can improve your home? Then attend ‘How to Successfully Add Space and Value to your Home’, a free seminar at 11.30am every day. Concerned about your impact on the environment and want to do more? Learn more about reducing your carbon footprint by attending ‘How to Heat Your Home for Nothing: Dream or Reality?’ a free seminar at 1.30pm every day. Visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk to find out more about the other free seminars and the masterclasses that run on the three days of the Show.

If you’re still at the planning stage of your building project, then bring along your drawings, plans or just your ideas and speak to one of the many experts at the Show and get some great advice. Visit the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine stand where Michael Holmes, TV presenter and Editor-in-Chief of Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, will be heading up a team of experts specialising in renovating, design, planning, self-building and greener living.

The Northern Homebuilding & Renovating Show is on at Harrogate International Centre from 6^th to 8^th November. The Show features over 210 exhibitors, 54 free seminars and masterclasses and the chance to Ask the Experts. For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk. Tickets are £5 in advance by calling 0844 5811377 or £8 on the door (children under 16 go free).

100 green apartments are to be built in Luton (United Kingdom) by the end of 2010 as part of Milieu Architects’ environmentally sustainable project.

The apartments will use solar collectors and wind turbines, and will turn waste materials into energy to keep heating bills down to around £100 per year. It is all part of Milieu Architects’ ambitious plans for ‘Luton’s first environmentally responsible development’.

Peter Lunter, The Project Architect, said:

“The project has been designed to achieve nearly all Zero Energy Development standards, and hence the block has minimum space heating requirements. The scheme employs a wide range of sustainable features that contribute to its code 5 for Sustainable Homes rating where the grade 6 is the zero carbon level. However, the project has a pre-designed upgrade path to full Zero Energy status.”

The plan involves developing the derelict, recently crime-ridden, site on the northern side of Collingdon Street in Luton, and could spark an ‘urban renaissance’, according to businessman Jan Telensky whose company has proposed building the apartments.

The scheme, formally known as ‘Low Energy Apartments (LEA) project’, is already receiving the support and co-operation of Luton Borough Council as it has been submitted to approach the planning stages, and Milieu Architects, which is made up of former University of Luton students, is confident that it will become a reality by the end of 2010.

The idea of the innovative project is that it will provide environmentally sound housing and social facilities at an affordable cost and make a considerable contribution towards environmental sustainability, while enhancing the sense of community by regenerating the site into an attractive residential area.

The building will be topped with visually attractive green roofs whose structural function is designed to protect the waterproofing layer from extreme temperature and abrasion, produce oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide production.

Other key sustainable features include construction from thermal materials that store heat during warm months and release it during the colder months.

Are you interested in picking up the latest in innovative products and services, inspirational design ideas, renovation tips and cost saving solutions for the home? Then look no further! The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, the UK’s only dedicated self-build and home improvement show, is coming to the South of England.

On at Sandown Park on 27 and 28 June, The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show features over 150 exhibitors, 36 free seminars and masterclasses as well as the unique opportunity to get advice from the Experts. This really is a must-visit event.

Whether you are looking for land to build your own home, want to extend your property to create an open plan kitchen or are thinking about converting your loft or basement to create extra space you will find the products, services, advice and information to help create your perfect home.

Want to find out more about how you can improve your home? Then attend ‘How to extend and improve your home cost-effectively’, a free seminar at 11am on both days. Concerned about your impact on the environment and want to do more? Learn more about reducing your carbon footprint by attending ‘Zero-Energy Homes: can you really heat your home for free?’ a free seminar at 1.30pm on both days. Visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk to find out more about the other free seminars and the masterclasses that run on both days of the Show.

If you’re still at the planning stage of your building project then bring along your drawings, plans or just your ideas and speak to one of the many experts at the Show and get some great advice. Visit the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine stand where Michael Holmes, TV presenter and Editor in Chief of Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, will be heading up a team of experts specialising in renovating, design, planning, self-building, and greener living.

As an added bonus, your ticket will give you free entry to the co-located Kitchen & Bathroom Show, the UK’s only dedicated kitchen and bathroom event that will help you transform your kitchen from sad to sensational or your bathroom to a spa retreat. Meet over 60 individual kitchen manufacturers and suppliers, often not seen on the High Street, who will inspire with bespoke designs and state of the art technology.

The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show is on at Sandown Park on 27 and 28 June. The Show features over 150 exhibitors, 36 free seminars and masterclasses and the chance to Ask the Experts. For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk. Tickets are £5 in advance by calling 0871 945 4547 or £8 on the door (children under 16 go free).

Would-be renovators and self-builders should see 2009 as an excellent time to start a building project. For renovators and self-builders in the East of England, the relaunch of The Eastern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on at exec Peterborough on 30 and 31 May, means the best advice and information is now available to help make the most of their homes.

The recent success of The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show clearly indicates that many homeowners are looking to build their way out of the recession. There could well be an increase in the 20,000 each year who currently achieve this goal as they take advantage of the availability of more plots and contractors as well as competitive pricing. Homeowners looking to improve, rather than move, could also take advantage of keen prices in the current economic climate to make significant savings on their budgets if they plan carefully, shop around and do their homework.

Whether you are renovating, extending, building or wanting to make the most of your home, now is a great time to visit The Eastern Homebuilding & Renovating Show. Housed in the fabulous new facilities at exec Peterborough, the Show offers over 80 exhibitors, 36 free seminars and masterclasses over the two days as well as the opportunity to ‘Ask the Experts’.

Take along your plans, outline drawings or just your ideas and speak to one of the many experts at the Show. Michael Holmes, TV presenter and editor in Chief of Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, will be heading up a team of experts specialising in renovating, design, planning, self-building, and greener living.

For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk. Tickets are £5 in advance by calling 0871 945 4547 or £8 on the door.

Would-be renovators and self-builders should see 2009 as an excellent time to start a building project. The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on at the NEC from 19^th to 22^nd March can help you make the most of your home.

A 34% nationwide increase in the number of plots available for self-builders makes 2009 an excellent time to consider building your own home. Additionally, with the opportunity to negotiate hard on labour and materials prices in the current economic climate, potential self-builders and renovators could make significant savings on their budgets if they plan carefully, shop around and do their homework.

Whether you are renovating, extending, building or wanting to make the most of your home, now is a great time to visit The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show. In its seventeenth year and attracting almost 50,000 visitors over the four days, the 2009 Show offers over 500 exhibitors, 96 free seminars and masterclasses, The Eco Homes Show, ‘Ask the Experts’, Specialist Technical Zones and much more.

Take along your plans, outline drawings or just your ideas and speak to one of the many experts at the Show. Michael Holmes, TV presenter and editor in Chief of Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, will be heading up a team of experts specialising in renovating, design, planning, self-building, and greener living.

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is on at the NEC, Birmingham, from 19^th to 22^nd March 2009.

For more information and tickets, visit www.national.homebuildingshow.co.uk. Tickets are £10 in advance by calling 0871 945 4547 or £14 on the door (children go free).