28 November 2013
The membership of a newly-formed political collective, set to champion the self and custom build sectors, has been unveiled.
The ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom-Build and Independent Housebuilding’ has been formally constituted and includes a mixture of MPs from the Conservative, Labour and Scottish SNP parties.
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Richard Bacon (pictured, above left), Conservative MP for South Norfolk and founder of the group, is the chair. And John Mann (above right), the Labour MP for Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire who called on the Government earlier this year to abolish Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments on self build projects in an Early Day Motion, sits as vice-chair.
The Conservative members of the Group include Stewart Jackson (MP for Peterborough), Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire), Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest), Robert Halfon (Harlow), Julian Brazier (Canterbury and Whitstable), David Rutley (Macclesfield), Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough), Rory Stewart (Penrith and the Border) and Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs). Labour’s representatives are Hilary Benn (MP for Leeds Central and Shadow Secretary for the Department for Communities and Local Government), Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North), Phil Wilson (Sedgefield), George Mudie (Leeds East), Barry Gardiner (Brent North), Iain Wright (Hartlepool) and strong self/custom build advocate Clive Betts (Sheffield South East). Two Scottish SNPs are also involved – Angus Robertson (Moray) and Mike Weir (Angus).
It is understood that the group may plan a series of excursions to self/custom build projects as part of its early activities.
Speaking earlier this year, Mr Bacon suggested that self build should not be the preserve of the wealthy. “It needs to become a mainstream part of our housing supply to give people more influence, choice and satisfaction in the provision of their own homes,” he said.
