We talk a lot about well-being in different areas of life, but rarely in relation to housebuilding. This seems strange to me, considering how much time we spend in our homes.

We build schools to support learning and hospitals to aid healing, so why would we not build houses that help people live their best lives?

As a psychologist, I have been passionate for years about designing homes that prioritise people’s well-being.

I have never understood why house choices are so prescriptive, often reducing the decision to choosing which size and shape of box to live in.

This means a new house purchase offers little in terms of design that complements what is important to the home buyer’s lifestyle.

So when I had the opportunity to get involved in the construction industry as a site owner at Wellbank in the Lake District National Park, I was determined to do things differently.

Wellbank is unique. It is the only site in the Lake District National Park and, to my knowledge, in any national park in England that offers homeowners the opportunity to create a self-build or custom-build home in this way.

For me, it all starts with the fundamental belief that homebuyers should be able to design a home that fits their lifestyle and well-being.

I was recently a guest on the Self Builders Podcast, and it was refreshing to hear host Mike Pawley describe what we are creating at Wellbank as unique.

It is not just our custom-built homes or the location between the fells and the sea that make Wellbank unique, though it is an incredible place to build and own a home.

Describing Wellbank’s approach to housebuilding, Mike said that it is changing the paradigm of how homes are built in the UK. He said that this build model is the future.

That is music to my ears because Wellbank has always been about well-being.

To me, it is essential that a house works for its owner’s lifestyle. That is the joy of building homes for people – that it fits with the way they want to live.

Here in the Lake District National Park, you can design your house around your lifestyle and well-being and truly enjoy life in your dream home.

It is all about what is important to you. For me, that is light, space, communal areas, a private retreat, a home office, and a garden view.

For others, such as a family with three teenagers, it might mean having three en-suite bathrooms to avoid the Saturday morning queue.

For someone else, it could be about creating a sociable, party-friendly home with a large kitchen and a spacious living area.

You should be able to design your home around your needs.

Wellbank’s environment is also special. Biodiversity and sustainability are important to us, and we are not just talking about it. We are doing it.

We are proud of the environment we are creating with extensive planting, ponds, and generous plots, knowing that access to nature promotes physical and mental well-being.

We have won an award for our swale system, where surface water flows into open courses, feeding two large ponds before reaching wetland areas.

We are creating communal green spaces, planting trees and hedges, and fostering a natural environment that supports native species.

We also insist that at least 30 percent of the energy in Wellbank homes comes from renewable sources such as solar panels or air source heat pumps. This is part of our Design Code, which has been agreed upon with the Lake District National Park Authority. This ensures we respect and protect the stunning environment around us for future generations.

Living in a green and natural setting has long been linked to better mental health. It also encourages physical activity, with pathways and cycleways leading to the Lake District’s renowned fells and lakes.

To further support a healthy lifestyle, we are building a leisure hub with a swimming pool, steam room, and hydrotherapy pool.

These facilities will be open to the wider Bootle and West Cumbria communities as well as to homeowners.

That community is very important to us. We have been welcomed with open arms, which I believe is because of our philosophy and approach.

The development of Wellbank was part of Bootle’s local plan. We would not have taken on the project if the community had not asked us to be involved.

We know the community, and they know us. From the start, we have made it our mission to be respectful of the people, the area, and the local environment.

The Lake District National Park Authority has supported us every step of the way, working closely with us on the design code for the homes.

I believe this partnership has been so successful because we share a vision. We both want the National Park to thrive by thinking creatively and encouraging innovation. We cannot thank them enough for their support.

Cumberland County Council, Bootle Parish Council, and the entire Bootle community have supported our vision from the beginning, helping turn our dream for Wellbank into reality.

Our homeowners value that they are joining a thriving community. Many tell us that this sense of connection is really important to them.

With more people working from home, the desire for community has never been stronger.

Members of our team live in the village. They take prospective homeowners on tours, showing them the way to the train station, school, GP surgery, local shops, and the best routes to the beach and fells.

We also strive to remove as much stress as possible for our custom-build homeowners, allowing them to focus on choosing their ideal plot and designing their home.

At Wellbank, they do not have to worry about obtaining planning permission from the Lake District National Park Authority or servicing the plots with water, electricity, roads, and utilities. We have taken care of all of that.

Bringing all of this together, I hope we are making a positive difference to people, their lives, and their well-being.

I would love to think that what we have started at Wellbank could inspire others to take a similar approach and shift the UK’s mindset around housebuilding.

Janet Nuttall is a psychologist, businesswoman, and site owner at Wellbank.