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Government to conduct review into self-build homes
The government has announced a review that will aim to encourage councils to grant planning permission for projects.
Ministers will consider the law around self-build homes in a bid to support the industry, which is estimated to be worth £4.5bn to the UK economy.
Councils are currently required to keep a register of those who wish to build in their area and by 30 October each year – ‘Right to Build’ day – should have granted permission to enough suitable plots to match demand on their registers.
The review, announced yesterday, will consider who is best-placed to encourage self-build projects, of which there are roughly 15,000 annually – a 50% increase on two years ago.
Local authorities will also be required to publish data they collect on self- and custom-build in their area every year.
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The announcement forms part of the government’s drive to increase overall housebuilding numbers, which also saw prime minister Boris Johnson expand controversial Permitted Development Rights and release proposals for a major overhaul of the planning system.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “We are backing people who want to design and build their own home and today I have launched a review to ensure councils provide enough land and take proper consideration for these homes both when making planning decisions in their area.
“This will help more people get a foot on the housing ladder and support our building industry as we deliver the homes that this country needs.”
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, chief executive of the National Custom & Self Build Association, said England has the lowest know rate of self-commissioned homes in the developed world.
“Our new homes market is crying for the greener and higher quality build that goes hand-in-hand with more consumer choice,” he added.
