About this home:

The Rural Urban Synthesis Society is a Community Land Trust that has worked tirelessly since 2008 on this scheme of 36 affordable self-finished homes. Members were involved throughout the land procurement and design process. The main contractors built the structure, and the residents could choose how much they wanted to do themselves. They had choices ranging from receiving an empty box to just having to decorate and install skirting boards. The more work they elected to do themselves the less they paid for the flat. 5 flats were council flats, the rest were affordable shared equity, shared ownership or private sales. All residents must be local and qualify for affordable housing. High-density urban self-build is effective and achievable.

Planning Insights:

42 months at planning

RUSS won a 250-year lease for the land, on a peppercorn rent, from Lewisham Council in 2014 - subject to delivering a 'community-led, affordable, self-build housing development'. The initial scheme by Archetype got planning permission in 2018, but the design was £1million+ over budget. In 2020, Shepheard Epstein Hunter was brought in to adapt the design to make it affordable, the minor material amendment application was approved in 2021.