Consultation underway on plans to enable custom/self builders to turn to councils for land as approval in principle is given to the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Bill
27 October 2014
Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has announced a consultation process on the Government’s proposed Right to Build scheme support aspiring custom and self builders who want to build their own homes; as a government supported private member’s bill on plans for a Right to Build register is taken forward through Parliament by the MP for South Norfolk Richard Bacon.
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Right to Build plans revealed
Under the plans for a new Right to Build across England revealed by the Housing and Planning Minister, anyone who wants to build their own home will be able to turn to their council for help in finding a suitable plot of land. Eleven areas are already pioneering the Right to Build scheme, developing a register of prospective custom/self builders in the area and matching them up to shovel ready sites.
A consultation process has now begun to seek views from local planning authorities, the custom and self build sector and prospective custom/self builders about what they would like to see from the Right to Build. It looks at:
- the local demand for custom/self build
- meeting demand on the register with available land
- how the Right to Build will work within the existing planning framework
Mr Lewis said: “Custom and self build should not be the preserve of a select few but a realistic opportunity for anyone who wants to build their own home. Eleven areas are already leading the way on the Right to Build. And our plans for this Right across England will help more people turn their ambitions into reality and clear the way for a new generation of custom and self builders.”
An online survey has opened to collate responses, alongside the receipt of emails and postal feedback, with a closing date of 18 December 2014.
This is one of a range of measures the government has introduced to help aspiring custom and self builders. Others include:
- a £150 million investment fund to support delivery of up to 10,000 serviced plots
- making self and custom builders exempt from paying the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and scaling back section 106 tariffs
- introducing a £30 million Custom Build Investment Fund, which has made available repayable finance for larger multi-unit projects and grant funding for community custom builders
Approval in principle given to self/custom build government bill
Meanwhile, the House of Commons has given its approval in principle to a private member’s bill introduced by the MP for South Norfolk Richard Bacon, who chairs the All Party Group on Self Build and Custom Housebuilding.
The Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Bill, whch has the support of both the Government and the Official Opposition, was given its Second Reading by the House of Commons last Friday. The Bill will now go to the Committee Stage for detailed consideration.
Mr Bacon said: “The aim of my Bill is help us reach the point where choosing to build your own home – or to have someone build a home for you that fully aligns with your personal choices as a customer – is a completely normal and routine part of the housing market.”
If it becomes law, Mr Bacon’s Bill would require each local council to set up a register of individuals and community groups who are interested in obtaining serviced plots of land to build houses and flats for purchase and for affordable rental, and then to have regard to its register when developing plans for housing, regeneration and the disposal of land owned by the council.
