Dover City Council is running a Community-led Housing and Self Build conference on 28 June, bringing together local people wishing to create their own home through the Right to Build.
Anyone looking to create their own home should not miss the Community-led Housing and Self Build Conference on 28 June at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent, a free event for both delegates and exhibitors hosted by Dover District Council.
The council already has over 150 people signed up for their Right to Build on its Custom and Self Build register, and the event is an opportunity to provide information for the community for anyone wanting to Custom or Self Build, or bring on community-led housing. Dover District Council is looking to promote custom homes locally, both to those already registered but also to newcomers who are interested in finding out more about the Right to Build and what the registers can deliver locally.
You can sign up to Dover District Council’s Right to Build register, here.
The conference will include content suitable for community groups, land owners, developers, consultants, with Self Build experts on hand to help people achieve their dream of creating a bespoke home of their own. In addition, the Right to Build Task Force will be presenting on the day, explaining its work and how it can support the sector. The afternoon features workshops and Q&A sessions.
The conference is on from 1.30-5pm, 28 June at Innovation House, Discovery Park, Sandwich, and is free to attend, but you must book in advance.
Community housing grants
Dover District Council’s also has new Community Housing Grants available to support the delivery of community-led housing schemes in the area. The council’s Community Housing Grants Scheme has £50k per annum for the next two years to support community projects, with the funding provided by the Government’s Community Housing Fund.
The funding is available for community-led affordable housing developments that offer a long-term benefit to the community.
So far, 150 councils in areas affected by high-levels of second home ownership have been awarded funding via the Community Housing Fund, which to help tackle the issue of local affordability.
There are two levels of funding for different stages of a project, and groups are eligible to apply for one per year:
Up to £3k to assist in the early stages of a project – for groups to run consultation events, attend training, engage with consultants, identify a site, evidence housing need and demand.
Up to £10k for projects at a more advanced stage – for assistance with initiation costs such as surveys, feasibility studies, planning advice.
Community Development Officers will be on hand at the conference to assist with any community groups interested in applying for a grant.
Cllr James Back, DDC Cabinet Member for Built Environment, said: “We are delighted to be able to facilitate this conference. The event aims to increase awareness of community-led housing and Self-build, to increase knowledge and skills among our communities, to encourage local community led solutions to local housing needs, and to bring together communities, professionals, contractors and suppliers to deliver the homes.
“We are keen to ensure that any communities who are interested in delivering homes in the area have the knowledge they need to make this a reality, and we continue to develop housing options for the future of the district.”
To sign up to your Right to Build visit NaCSBA’s Right to Build Portal, which links people with their local registers.
