A ground breaking new scheme has launched in Wales, offering residents a route to finance and ‘oven-ready’ plots. Self Build Wales is financed by Welsh Government and managed by the Development Bank of Wales, and the scheme looks set to transform the market for anyone looking to self build in Wales.
The site will, with time, host a selection of plots with a range of pre-agreed designs on them, that come with a loan available of 75% towards the cost of the plot and 100% the cost of the build.
“We want to make self-build available to many more people in Wales, not just the most privileged households.”
Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James
Removing barriers
The scheme has been planned to help more people to access self build, removing the uncertainty around the process by offering them a route to finance, land and planning, helping regular people achieve their dream of building a home. This means that many homes could be built in areas that the mainstream builders might not consider, or that homes could be built that don’t fit into the mainstream speculative home market.
The site will, with time, host a selection of plots with a range of pre-agreed designs on them, that come with a loan available of 75% towards the cost of the plot and 100% the cost of the build.
Deputy Minister for Housing, Hannah Blythyn said: “We want to unlock the potential to build houses in Wales, to help far more people who want to build their own homes.
“We know finding the land, navigating planning consents and being able to afford to self-build while covering the cost of living can be real barriers. Self-Build Wales removes these barriers, and makes it far easier for people to build their own home. This scheme will help people who wouldn’t normally think of self-build to consider it seriously.”
Cenydd Rowlands, Property Director at the Development Bank of Wales said: “Bringing planning, design, construction and funding together will open the doors to self and custom build for people who would not otherwise have considered it as a realistic option.
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO of the National Custom and Self-Build Association said: “Self-building enables the delivery of more and better homes that more people aspire to live in and that communities are happier to see built. Homes that are more beautiful, more in keeping with their surroundings and more sustainable than the mainstream market delivers. Homes that can combine high technology with the work of local artisans.
“We welcome this package of measures and the positive changes that they will deliver in Wales.”
Boosting local economy
Self Build Wales will provide a valuable local route to work for small-to-medium house builders in Wales, which is good news for local economies. Welsh government is backing the scheme to the tune of £210million, so the combination of plots, pre-approved designs and finance is a sure fire way to get people building.
