4 February 2015
An outline planning application has been submitted to provide nearly a dozen opportunities in Somerset for people who wish to build their own homes.
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Planning consultancy PlanningSphere proposes a scheme featuring 11 self build/custom build plots on a one-and-three-quarter acre greenfield site behind a former pub in Paulton. The consultancy is acting on behalf of Poulton Ltd which is the freehold owner of the Somerset Inn and the associated land.
The development will be subject to a design code to be agreed with Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES) and the plots will be marketed to local residents in the Somer Valley area first, followed by the BANES administrative area and then nationally. It is envisaged that the plots will either be offered to individuals on the open market, or passed on to a custom build developer.
This is the third application submitted to build homes on the site; an original proposal for a scheme of up to 22 dwellings was withdrawn in early 2014 and a second bid for a 14-dwelling project was later thrown out.
In a supporting statement, the consultancy says: “The self build/custom build model of development differs from the traditional ‘top-down’ model operated by volume housebuilders… and seeks to offer customer involvement and choice.”
“This is a form of development that is being strongly encouraged by central government and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) places an explicit requirement on councils to facilitate the delivery of self-build/custom-build plots.”
The plans are set to be discussed by Paulton Parish Council’s planning committee next week.
PlanningSphere is also the planning agent for a 35-home custom build project at nearby Boreham Mead in Warminster which is being taken forward by custom build developer HAB Housing.
