Minister to review self build opportunities
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced a government review designed to create more opportunities for people to build their own homes.
Coinciding with Right To Build Day, which marks when councils have to demonstrate they have met local demand for plots on the Right To Build register, the review will examine how effective these arrangements are and whether they increase self- and custom-build opportunities.
Mr Jenrick said that the data councils collect on self and custom build in their area will now be published annually.
Councils are currently required to keep a register of those who wish to build in their local area. By October 30 each year councils should have granted sufficient planning permissions to match that demand.
Currently there are around 15,000 self- and custom-builds every year – an increase of 50% in the past two years – contributing almost £4.5bn to the UK economy.
The Housing Secretary has written to councils to ensure they consider the demand for these homes when providing land for building and making planning decisions in their area.
“We are backing people who want to design and build their own home and I have launched a review to ensure councils provide enough land and take proper consideration for these homes when making planning decisions in their area,” Mr Jenrick said. “This will help more people get a foot on the housing ladder and support our building industry as we deliver the homes that this country needs.”
The National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), which has been campaigning for more self- and custom-build opportunities, has welcomed the review.
“This excellent announcement by the government should help many more people achieve the dream of living in better and more beautiful homes,” said the CEO of NaCSBA, Andrew Baddeley-Chappell.
The move was also welcomed by long-time campaigner and an Ambassador for the Right to Build Task Force, Richard Bacon MP, who successfully launched a member’s bill which became the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act.
“We need to make sure every council is able to deliver on this important agenda which will help provide more high quality homes,” he said.
