Self_Build_report_final_version

Housing minister Grant Shapps, earlier this year asked NaSBA (National Association of Self Builders) and other industry experts to work with his officials to prepare an action plan to boost the number of self-builders across the country, and address the common barriers aspiring self-builders face.

 

Their report sets out 15 proposals for action to help self builders, including that:

  • More land be made available for self-builders. It calls for Government to ask councils to gauge the demand for self build in their area and account for this in their planning strategies.
  • New implementation models, which include making serviced plots available to self builders, be actively promoted across the industry and the public sector.
  • Lenders be encouraged to offer more finance products for those building their own home.
  • Revolving funds should be made available to support group self build schemes, which Mr Shapps has pledged to give serious consideration to.
  • Over-burdensome regulations hampering the growth of the sector be removed or simplified, and calls for Government to introduce more proportionate planning rules for small developments.
  • The self build industry itself needs to provide clearer independent information to would-be self builders. A new online self build ‘portal’ is proposed to be set up to enable more people to get a project underway.

Mr Shapps is to meet with biggest retailers to ask for their support in setting up the portal.