14 July 2015
Two new self build housing projects in Plymouth will move a step closer after funding was approved by Plymouth City Council.
The Executive Decision signed by Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans, gives the go-ahead for supporting eight self build serviced plots on a pair of brownfield sites in the city.
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Four plots will be made available on land previously accommodated by a youth centre at Lancaster Gardens, Whitleigh: two semi-detached plots (152/192m2 in size) at £37,000 and £47,000; and two detached plots (266m2) at £60,000. A further four plots will be brought to market at Maidstone Place, Ernesettle: two plots (130m2) large enough for a semi-detached home priced at £36,000 each; and two plots (170-190m2) with space for a detached home at £48,000 each.
In total £241,048 in capital funding was approved for the projects – granted planning permission in September 2014 – and the cash will meet the cost of putting local infrastructure in place to enable the plots to be developed and serviced. Councillor Evans also approved the establishment of a ‘rolling fund’ to deliver self build serviced plot sites funded from the profit from capital receipts received which are in excess of capital costs.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Housing, said: “Our Plan for Homes aims to address the chronic housing shortage by delivering more than 1,000 new homes every year. We are committed to a number of initiatives to make this happen, including self-build opportunities.
“Self and custom build is not a ‘one size fits all’ and it provides something different for people’s individual needs. There is already considerable interest in self and custom build in the city, with so far nearly 200 people on the self-build register.
“Our overall aims are to help local people into the housing market, to provide alternative housing choices in the city, and for these self-build sites to act as a springboard to bring forward additional sites in the medium term.”
Last spring, Plymouth City Council revealed that it has almost 200 self and custom build homes at various stages of development and the local authority is asking for expressions of interest in self or custom build homes to be directed to housingdelivery@plymouth.gov.uk.
