People who want to build their own home will be able to turn to their council to make their dream a reality, under new measures announced by planning minister Nick Boles.
The minister announced on July 2 said he would give aspiring self- and custom-builders a new Right to Build, which would enable them to ask their council to identify a shovel-ready site for their project.
Prospective self- and custom-builders will be able to register their interest with the local council, which must then offer suitable serviced plots for sale at market value.
House-building is a key part of the government’s long-term economic plan, with custom-builders poised to play a key role.
Research by Ipsos MORI has shown more than 1 million people are looking to build their own home – but the biggest barrier to doing so is finding suitable land.
Self-build currently accounts for just 1 in 10 new homes in the UK. By comparison, 60 per cent of homes in Germany, France and Italy and 80 per cent in Austria are self-build.
Mr Boles has invited councils from across the country to come forward to become among the first to get the Right to Build up and running in their area.
Lessons learned in these areas will inform a consultation planned for later this year on extending the Right to Build across the country.
