Building on the Self Build plot next to Chapeltown Cohousing (aka Chaco)
By Cynthia Brathwaite – Hub Manager at People Powered Homes. 10/05/2025
On a hot Saturday in May Andrew took a break from building his home on his self build plot next to Chaco in Leeds to give me some insight into his new self -build project.
What method of construction are you using?
It’s called the Walter Segal technique which was developed in the 80s. It’s a DIY method which uses tools and construction products which you can get from B&Q. The benefit is that it uses standard dimensions (e.g. timber comes measuring 1.2 or 2.4 meters) so that you can build in a modular fashion, assembling the home bit by bit or module by module.
Why did you choose a timber frame build?
I’ve travelled around America, where I’ve seen lots of timber framed houses. I also built a high level deck at where I live now in Tangram housing Co-op, which although not technically timber frame, I used the same principles of triangulation to give strength to the wooden structure. Also wood is a sustainable material which doesn’t impact on the environment as much as concrete, brick, cement, steel, glass or aluminium. I have sourced my wood from a sustainable timber company up on the Scottish borders called Abbey Timber. Although I have to admit that I had to use a bit of concrete to secure the posts into the ground.
Do you have any kind of professional experience in building?
No. I don’t have any formal training. I’ve liked carpentry since I was a schoolboy and I suppose the deck at Tangram and I make compost bins for my allotment. That’s what this self- build is about, you don’t need experts to build houses. The common man or the ordinary lay person can do it. Hopefully people will take that sentiment away.
What size house are you building?
Yeah. It’s a 3 bedroom house. I wanted it to be a standard size, but flexible. Not too big, not too small. I wanted it to be level access so it can be suitable for all ages/ anyone to live in, although it is for me because I’m going to live there. A sort of straightforward house in a way, and that was the brief I gave to the architect at the very beginning. I am hoping to get as close to passiv haus standard as possible and put some solar panels on the roof, as I will be reliant on electricity as my only energy source. I might have a few electric heaters for the winter, but definitely no gas central heating. I hope to have the house weather proof by December this year. I started on site in June 2023, but have had a delays, for example my structural engineer made me change the dimensions of the holes to sink the structural posts, so I had to move and re-dig some holes.
So you have had to use some professionals?
Yes, the architect, a structural engineer and I have commissioned an approved building control inspector who have been to visit the site twice. I had to get an environmental impact assessment assessor for the planning and I have also used Chaco’s electrician Dave and will get him to sort out my electrics. I am mindful of fire risks with the house being built from timber. Plumbing is less of a risk and I will do that myself.
You don’t mind me asking, but how much is it going to cost to build?
When I first started on this many years ago, someone said it will cost you £800 to £1000 per square metre and there’s fees on top of that. So architects fees, planning fees, structural engineers fees, this fee, that fee. I’m just going into it hoping for the best. I am putting aside about £90,000 as my house is going to be approximately 90 square metres. I am trying to keep the costs down by doing most of it by hand and also getting friends to help. Why pay £3000 for a crane when you can get 25 friends to help you raise the frame.
Why did you want to do it here, next to Chaco?
I did think about joining Chaco but having lived in a coop I know that it can be quite a big commitment going to all the meetings and participating. Bill (one of the founders of Chaco) told me that they would be selling off some of the site as self-build plots so that piqued my interest. I thought yeah I would like to do self-build. Be part of Chaco without actually being in it. And of course having nice neighbours and being located in a nice environment. I like the design of Chaco.
Do you have any tips for anyone who wants to do their own self build?
Yes. I think we don’t encourage people to aspire to build their own home in this country. In America 50% of people aspire to build their home, only 5% manage it. Here only 5% aspire to build their own home and less than 1% manage to do it. So I think if you want to do it you have belief in yourself.
Also use your friends and networks who can help you with their expertise. I got a lot of encouragement from a friend that used to work for Leeds Environmental Design Associates and also my mate John is helping me. Bill has recommended people to me, for example Dave the electrician.
Also you don’t have to have everything worked out at the beginning, let it be an organic process.
I look forward to watching Andrew’s project go from a wooden frame to a proper house. Will report back once it’s finished.
