Over 33,000 sign up - NaCSBA Research
National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA) research has found that, since 1st April 2016, over 33,000 people have signed up to Right to Build registers across England to secure a plot to design and build their dream home.
80% Increase over first year
This is over an 80% increase. In the second year since the Right To Build registers came into force, nearly 18,000 additional people signed up, many via NaCSBA’s Right to Build Portal. However of these and the initial 18,000 people, around 3,000 people were removed from the registers by local authorities. Reasons include people having found plots and councils applying local connection tests or introducing a fee to join or stay on the registers.
LPA’s MUST Give Permits
This means that local authorities across England must give permission for enough serviced building plots to meet this growing demand, under the responsibilities placed on them by the Right to Build legislation. They have until 31st October 2020 to consent 33,000 serviced plots, with around half of these to be consented by 31st October 2019.
NaCSBA Monitoring LPA Behaviour
The majority of councils are taking the management of their registers seriously, as they provide one of two important sources of demand and need to be reliable. NaCSBA is also keenly monitoring whether any local authorities are using unreasonable or unjustified local connection criteria or charges as a means of reducing their obligation to consent.
Long Term LPA Duty
The registers will help councils assess demand of people that want a serviced plot now and discharge their duty under planning policy to consider how many people want to design and build their own home over a longer timeframe to assess longer term planning functions.
Building Societies Association (BSA) research
The BSA found 53% of people have the ambition to design and build their own home at some point in their lives. In time as people’s awareness of Custom and Self Build grows, the number on the registers should more closely reflect the BSA research.
NaCSBA plans 2018 Awareness Campaign
A national consumer campaign is planned in 2018 to increase awareness of the Right to Build registers and make people aware of their rights under the legislation.
All Party Parliamentary Support
Richard Bacon MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom and Community Housebuilding and Placemaking and Ambassador of the Task Force said:
“I’m delighted to see that the number of people on the Right to Build registers has now grown from 18,000 to over 33,000. However, we know that true demand is much higher, as the evidence does not follow through that there are several hundred people on a register in one council area, while a neighbouring one only has double figures. Clearly, more needs to be done to promote the registers and really make them work as an evidence tool in local planning, as we know that half of the adult population wants to design and build their dream home at some point in their lives.”
Help for Local Council Promotions
Proactive Councils are reaping the many benefits Custom and Self Build housing can bring to diversify and grow their local housing supply. The Right to Build Task Force, launched by NaCSBA in 2017, is available to help Councils promote their registers and allocate sites, as well as working with community groups, developers and landowners.
UK Construction Week
Empty Shells for “CUSTOM Self-Builds”
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Your Partner in Development
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