Lack of Land with Permission for Self Builds

Posted by Granite Building Warranties Ltd on 14th June 2022 -

Have you ever dreamed of building your perfect house?  Many people do and there seems to be an increase in those taking a step closer to following their dream.

People registering an interest with their local authority for a self-build plot was up 31% on the same period last year.

Government legislation for Right to Build and an equity scheme aimed at helping self-builders, Help to Build, are initiatives designed to support those wishing to custom build their own homes.

However, local authorities are failing to provide the planning permission to enable the self-builders to move their projects forwards.

The number of plots given planning permission by English councils was 32% behind the number of registrations from people wanting to build.  The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities figures showed 12,263 individuals registered to custom or self-build in the year to October 2021 but only 8,309 permissions were given in the same period.

According to the National Custom & Self-Build Association, councils are favouring larger sites and those within their target local plans over the smaller plots when looking at planning permission. Because councils often don’t have land to give permission on for the self-builders, they have to acquire land and this is difficult to come by especially with the current situation where local authority resources are already stretched.

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 is currently under review from the Government and consequences for authorities who fail to give permission to self build plots should encourage local authorities to be more supportive of this type of building.

The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities has voiced their support for self and custom build housing and wants to encourage councils to grant planning permission for these types of buildings. “Our Help to Build scheme will help increase the supply of self and custom build while making it a realistic and affordable option for people looking to get on the housing ladder.”

If you are looking to build your own home don’t forget the need for a structural building warranty.

For further information, please contact Ed or Kelly on 01284 365345 or email [email protected] / [email protected].