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Derwent Forest offers a unique opportunity to build your dream home, complete with breath-taking views of the Lake District.

Situated five miles outside of Cockermouth, the development is nestled between Great Broughton and Broughton Moor in a picturesque location with some of the most impressive views in Cumbria.

Self-build homes in Cumbria

Derwent Forest has full planning permission for 24 self-build homes. Each plot will be delivered fully serviced including drainage and connections for gas, water, electricity, and BT, allowing you to concentrate on creating your perfect home.

You can build your dream home on any of the available plots of land, all you have to do is submit a planning request that is in line with the Design Code for the development. Alternatively, we have a selection of five beautiful house types to choose from that already have full planning permission – building your dream home couldn’t be easier.

Download Design Code

 

Key features

24 fully serviced self-build homes

Connections provided for gas, water, electricity and BT

Plot sizes up to 13891 sq ft

Situated near the quaint market town of Cockermouth

Surrounded by picturesque views

Pre-approved house types available

Self-build plots with views of the lake district

Derwent Forest is nestled in the green hills of Great Broughton, close to the ancient market town of Cockermouth. This self-build development provides a unique opportunity for customers to build their own home in a beautiful area with breath-taking views of the Lake District.

The fantastic, unspoiled scenery and landscape surrounding Derwent Forest is some of the most beautiful in Cumbria, perfect for lovers of the great outdoors.

Nearby Cockermouth is one of only 51 towns in Britain classed as a Gem town, which has been recommended for preservation by the state as part of national heritage. The market town also benefits from a number of local restaurants, cafés and bars including The Castlebar, The Trout and The Bitterend.

For those with little ones, Broughton Primary School is close by and both Cockermouth and Netherhall School are less than 5 miles away.

How does self-build work?

Choose your perfect plot

Choose your perfect plot

Take a look at our site plan to find the perfect plot for you. Remember, you can choose to build your own home on any of these plots of land, or you can choose from the pre-approved house types – the options are endless.

Design your dream home

Design your dream home

Now you have found the perfect plot of land, it’s time to get creative and start designing your new home. Alternatively, you could start with the pre-approved house type for that plot – making amends to the design or building exactly to plan. Your Sales Executive will talk you through your options.

Start building

Start building

Once any new planning applications have been approved and you have secured your self-build mortgage, you can complete the purchase on your chosen plot of land. We have all of the infrastructures in place, so you can start building your dream home straight away.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Story Homes is working with Handelsbanken who will be able to support you every step of the way. Please speak to our Sales Executive who can provide you with their contact details. They offer local relationship banking and judge every proposal on a case-by-case basis. Subject to conditions, they may be able to offer a mortgage to finance a percentage of the plot price, plus a significant amount of the build costs.

Yes you can, as long as it is in line with the Design Code for the development and you obtain planning approval from the local council. You can read more about the Design Code that you’ll need to adhere to here.

The Design Code is a set of illustrated design rules and requirements which instruct and advise you on the physical development of self-build plots at Derwent Forest. The code details the style and parameters that any build work must adhere to in order to deliver a consistent vision for the development. It offers useful guidance for the development, given there are likely to be multiple builders. The Design Code offers a quality threshold that will help deliver the 24 new homes to an agreed standard, ensuring that street scenes are beautiful and that all of the homes are built to the same high standards.

Yes, we have planning approval for five house types. You could choose one of these house types and make no changes, which will mean there is no need for any planning applications. You also have the flexibility to make changes to these house types by submitting a planning application with your desired changes. Speak to our Sales Executive to see the houses that we have approval for.

A full site investigation has been completed and the ground conditions are glacial till which consists predominantly of clay, with some silt, sand and gravel. The site is sloped towards the entrance and all plots have been levelled for construction.

Everything is in place for you to start building as soon as you complete the purchase on your plot of land, including connections for gas, electricity, water and BT.

Once the development is complete it will be adopted by the local council, and public open spaces will be maintained by a management company.

The overall development is approximately 10 acres.

The plots vary in size from 600m2 to 1100m2. There isn’t an option for additional grazing as the outlined plots are the only pieces of land for sale.

Derwent Forest is a self-build development which means we are unable to build the homes for you. We can put you in touch with local suppliers who might be able to help and your self-build mortgage advisor will check the financial standing of the builder you choose to ensure they can meet the obligations agreed.

A master plan has been presented to Cumbria County Council and Allerdale Borough Council by Derwent Forest Development Consortium (DFDC). Once this has been agreed, more details will be available.

Please note CGIs and photography are for illustrative purposes only; external finishes such as roof tile colours, brick, stone, render and landscaping vary between plots. Properties may also be built ‘handed’ (mirror image) of those illustrated. Dimensions are for guidance only and all measurements and areas may vary during construction. Dimensions are not intended to be used for carpet sizes, appliance space or items of furniture. Bathroom, kitchen and furniture layouts are indicative only and do not form any part of your contract. EPC ratings are based on the house type rather than the individual plot and ratings can vary between plots. Please speak to a member of the sales team for plot specific information. Any information that is available regarding future development or phases will be provided by our Sales Executive in advance of reservation.