New Self-Build Planning Guidance
The Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced the Right to Build, which places a duty on local councils to keep a register of anyone wanting to build their own home. This duty extends further to ensuring sufficient serviced plots are provided within 3 years to meet demand.
While self build delivers less than 10% of new homes in the UK, there appears to be substantial interest in this scheme – according to the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), over 18,000 people had signed up to local registers by the end of last year, and this number is expected to have grown significantly over intervening months.
New Planning Practice Guidance has been released by the Department for Communities and Local Government to trigger a change in the way local authorities plan for self-build housing.
This new guidance clarifies the definition of self- and custom-build homes as schemes where the home’s initial owner will have primary input into its final layout and design, and excludes developers who argue that off-plan sold properties qualify.
There are a couple of circumstances exemptions can be made from the new duties:
- A local authority can keep two registers, one from applicants from within its boundaries, the other from non-local subscribers. Subject to certain criteria, only local registrants will count towards the need that they are required to meet.
- If demand exceeds 20% of an authority’s housing target, it can apply for a full exemption.
If you’re considering building your own home and need further help with new self-build planning guidance, from telephone advice to full scale plans, call Alan J Currall Architectural Services on 01536 393505.