8 April 2014
Housing Minister Kris Hopkins told Parliament this week that around 60 councils were now involved in supporting the growth of the self and custom build sector. “And there are lots more considering how to put self-build into their draft plans,” the Minister told the Commons.
Selby and Ansty MP Nigel Adams (main picture, far left) had quizzed the Minister, about the level of local council support there was for more self and custom build housing.
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Adams, himself a recent self builder said: “TV programmes such as Kevin McCloud’s Grand Designs have inspired many thousands of people to build their own homes, including me. The problem is that such people have to get their hands on a plot, which is not so easy. How many local authorities is the Minister aware of that have carried out an assessment of need for self-build in their local areas in accordance with the National Policy Planning Framework?”
In reply Hopkins (main picture, near left) said he had seen Mr Adams self built home (pictured, above/below), which he described as “quite spectacular”.
“The Government do not record which authorities have come forward, but the National Self Build Association monitors which authorities have looked at self build. There are 60 councils at this moment in time,” said the Minister.
“We support people who want to build their own homes. This includes £30 million for development finance, making more land available through the planning system, consulting on a new Right to Build, and providing £150 million to create up to 10,000 serviced plots throughout the country,” said Hopkins.
Adams was one of many MPs who attended the inaugural meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on self and custom build homes on 25 March.
