6 March 2014
Planning Minister Nick Boles has set out a string of reforms to the planning system in a new guidance statement that should have a big impact on the self build sector. For example, plans to make it easier to convert redundant farm buildings to homes could open up many opportunities for self build or conversion projects.
{TEASER}
The new planning guidance follows a review of more than 7000 documents undertaken by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor, and it will impact on self build in several areas.
The biggest impact is likely to come about from reforms to the planning rules in relation to the conversion of redundant farm buildings. This is expected to open up tens of thousands of opportunities for would-be self builders as farmers offer up derelict buildings for conversion to new homes.
The Planning Minister’s statement says: “These reforms will make better use of redundant or under-used agricultural buildings, increasing rural housing without building on the countryside. Up to 450 square metres of agricultural buildings on a farm will be able to change to provide a maximum of three houses.”
Under a section about ‘How should the needs for all types of housing be addressed?’ the guidance says it wants planners to help people who want to build their own homes.
“The Government wants to enable more people to build their own home and wants to make this form of housing a mainstream housing option. There is strong industry evidence of significant demand for such housing, as supported by successive surveys. Local planning authorities should, therefore, plan to meet the strong latent demand for such housing,” says the statement.
The document explains that planners can measure local demand for self build from various sources such as building plot search websites, the ‘Need-a-Plot’ information available from this website, and enquiries for building plots from local estate agent. “However, such data is unlikely on its own to provide reliable local information on the local demand for people wishing to build their own homes. Plan makers should, therefore, consider surveying local residents, possibly as part of any wider surveys, to assess local housing need for this type of housing, and compile a local list or register of people who want to build their own homes,” says the statement.
Other sections of the guidance also have implications for self builders. For example, on Rural Housing it says: “…all settlements can play a role in delivering sustainable development in rural areas – and so blanket policies restricting housing development in some settlements and preventing other settlements from expanding should be avoided unless their use can be supported by robust evidence.”
As the full ramifications become clear we will be sure to keep the Self Build Portal updated.
