WIREDGOV

Self-builders will find it much easier to kick-start their dreams of building a home with the launch of new registers to support eager builders find plots, Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis announced yesterday (4 February 2016).

From 1 April councils will have to keep a register of aspiring self and custom house builders when planning for future housing and land use.

As part of government plans to provide more homes, new measures and guidance have been put in place to clearly set out the procedure local authorities will have to take when people wish to register their interest for a plot of land.

The Housing and Planning Minister said that more and more people want to build their own home and yesterday’s move will help unlock the massive potential the custom build industry has to expand and help meet our future housing needs.

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said:

Many other countries have a track record of delivering large numbers of local homes through self-build and we’re determined to ensure self and custom housebuilding grows significantly.

The new registers are a fantastic example of our commitment to double the number of custom and self build homes by 2020 – so anyone who wishes to design their dream house can do so.

This government is committed to increasing housing supply and helping more people achieve their aspiration of home ownership – whether that’s buying on the open market through schemes like Help to Buy, or by building or commissioning their own home.

Unlocking the country’s custom build potential

The registers are in addition to the measure in the Housing and Planning Bill which will require authorities to ensure they have sufficient shovel ready plots to match the local demand on their register.

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Bill was first presented to Parliament by Richard Bacon MP and placed a duty on local authorities to keep a register of those seeking an interest in bringing forward self and custom build projects.

In the Spending Review we announced the establishment of the Housing Development Fund which aims to provide access to £1 billion of loan finance for up to 5 years supporting the provision of over 25,000 homes through to 2024 to 2025.

The fund is for custom build, small and medium builders and innovative new building methods.

Further information

• see the new regulations
• we have also published draft planning guidance to support authorities in getting their registers in place
• self-build and custom build homes are those that you build yourself or where you work with experts to deliver your home to your own specification
• please visit the Self Build Portal – the portal hosted by the National Custom and Self Build Association offers a guide through the self- and custom builders through the process and provides advice and support at each stage
• the Housing Development Fund brings together and expands the Builders’ Finance Fund and Custom Build Serviced Plots Fund providing added flexibility to enable the government to support emerging markets
• the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act received royal assent on 26 March 2015

Office address and general enquiries

2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Contact form http://forms.communiti...

General enquiries: please use this number if you are a member of the public 030 3444 0000

Media enquiries

Email press.office@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Please use this number if you're a journalist wishing to speak to Press Office 030 3444 1201