3 September 2013
A number of custom build homes could soon appear in South East England according to Neighbourhood Plan proposals published for public consultation.
This new, local tier to the planning system, introduced by the Localism Act 2011, enables Town or Parish Councils to work with their community to prepare a formal planning document for their area, giving people more control over local development priorities.
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WINSLOW TOWN
The Winslow Neighbourhood Plan proposes a custom build scheme comprising 30 two, three and four- bed houses on two-and-a-half acres of land on the western edge of the town in Buckinghamshire (pictured). The scheme would be part of a larger development of 210 homes delivered by Land & Partners Ltd.
The Plan also proposes that the provision of such a scheme be delivered through a Community Land Trust (CLT). CLTs are non-profit, community-based organisations run by volunteers which could take responsibility for securing self builders and for procuring the necessary site servicing.
Llew Monger, Chairman of Winslow Town Council, said: “The response so far has been overwhelmingly in favour of the proposals. We have recognised that there is a public demand here for a say in how homes are built. Therefore, we’ve decided that custom build is something we should explore.”
A public exhibition will be held from 1pm to 6pm on the 6th/7th September at Winslow Public Hall to gauge public reaction to the proposals. The consultation regarding the Plan expires on the 20th September.
SLAUGHAM PARISH
Elsewhere, a custom build scheme is proposed in West Sussex as part of the Slaugham Parish Neighbourhood Plan – 18 two, three and four- bed houses on land to the south-west of Handcross village in West Sussex, forming part of a larger development of 76 homes.
The implementation of the site would be delivered using a Community Right to Build Order (CRBO) to manage the design details and a Community Land Trust to procure the development. A CRBO is a specific type of Neighbourhood Development Order which gives community organisations the power to deliver developments without the need to apply for planning permission.
