Please could all Bolnore Residents complete the survey (either on the paper version delivered, or online) by the 11^th June at the latest. The online survey is available from www.foxleytaggplanning.co.uk/survey/

The brainchild of The National Self Build Association (NaSBA), the Self Build Portal offers a one stop shop for the would-be self builder, providing advice and information on every aspect of building your own home anywhere in the UK.

At the launch, Housing Minister Grant Shapps, announced a package of new support to self home builders, and was joined by NaSBA representatives, would-be self builders and a number of well-known pros including Kevin McCloud, Architecture expert, Presenter of Channel 4’s ‘Grand Designs’ and Architect, and presenter and independent advisor to the Government on empty homes, George Clarke.

An affordable option for everyone

The Minister said that going down the self-build route was an affordable option for aspiring homeowners and shouldn’t be seen as the preserve of those with deep pockets as a budget of £150,000 is adequate, in most instances, to get a three to four bedroom home built. The average cost of a ready-made home is now over £232,000.

A growing number of Britons are laying their own foundations with almost 14,000 new homes self-built last year – more than many individual volume housebuilders are building. However, the self-builder’s share of the market – one in ten of all new homes – is still very small by international standards.

More help – less red tape

Launching a package of measures today designed to turn this into a mass market opportunity, Mr Shapps said that for the first time, anyone wanting to build their own home from scratch – whatever their budget – will have the help, advice and support they need to get started.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: “Last year, self-builders accounted for about 14,000 new homes in this country – more than many large commercial builders. Yet our self-build industry still lags behind much of the rest of the world, with the opportunity to build your own home seen as something only for a select few.

“That’s why today, I’m pledging to back the self-build boom and support the industry to double in size over the next few years. As well as a new website giving help and advice, we’re working hard to identify more land for development and have reformed the planning rules to stop people’s aspirations getting tangled in red tape.

“This package of measures is designed to ensure anyone looking to build their own home gets the support they need – and with the numbers of mortgages available set to rise by a massive 141 per cent, there’s never been a better time for people to lay their own foundations.”

Supporting a growing industry

Today’s website is just one of a number of measures the industry is driving forward with the support of the Government. Today NaSBA reported to Government on achievements since the launch of its Action Plan last year. In particular the report highlights:

• Improved access to finance – Better engagement with lenders, leading to a predicted 141 per cent rise in mortgage availability for people looking to build their own homes
• Making more land available – The Government is continuing to identify more surplus land for self build projects
• More builders offering self build housing – there is increasing interest from builders, developers, landowners and local authorities to support self home building across the
country;
• Cutting red tape – such as the new support for people wanting to build their own homes in the revised National Planning Policy Framework; and
• Access to better information – More information on prospective sites for projects is now available, and more accessible through the new web portal launched today

Ted Stevens, NaSBA Chairman, said: “The new self build portal will help would-be self builders figure out what, realistically, they can afford to build; explain how their budgets can go further if they team up with others or do a portion of the work themselves, and it highlights the parts of the UK where it can be cheaper to find a site and construct a home.”

Kevin McCloud said: “Self build is sometimes seen as a long, difficult and self-sacrificing process. But with the right planning, help and support it can be enjoyable and – on collective schemes – empowering. I believe we can become a nation of self builders.”

Just two days after Greg Clark MP set out the Governments vision for planning in National Planning Policy Framework, Foxley Tagg Planning Limited were enjoying another four days of “coal face” work answering the general public’s questions on all aspects of the planning system planning at the “ask the experts” section of the Homebuilding and Renovating  show.

The hot topic was of course the impact of the NPPF with a variety of questions surrounding countryside residences and how planning guidelines would affect them, brownfield sites and back garden development testing the FT team’s knowledge of the document just days after its release.

As is always the case this event was well attended despite the distractions of lovely weather and queues at the filling stations.  Throughout the course of the four days the Foxley Tagg team gave well over 100 hours of well-informed specific advice to over 500 people from places as far afield as Cornwall and Yorkshire. The planning reach did not end there for Sally Tagg MRTPI provided her usual high standard of accessible lectures to standing room only audiences covering the popular topics of ”Permitted development” and new for 2012 “a guide through the planning maze” explaining to the layman the process and hurdles every application must go through.

As always the NEC provides an excellent base for the event and with support from the industry and of course the Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine and its staff Foxley Tagg would like to thanks all those involved for making the four days so enjoyable.

Next opportunity to see the Foxley Tagg Planning team and get access to their expert advice and to enjoy the seminars will be at Sandown Park, Surrey 30 June – 1 July 2012.

 The Draft NPPF, as released in July 2011, for the first time in any National Planning Policy Document made reference to Self Building. Page 9, Paragraph 28: addresses the need for all types of housing, including… “People wishing to build their own home”.

 Within the Draft NPPF the key objective with regard to housing relates to, “everyone should have the opportunity to live in high quality, well designed homes, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live” (Page 30, para 107).

 At a local level LPA’s must now ensure that they:

Significantly increase the delivery of new homes.

• Deliver a wider choice of high quality homes that people want and need.
• Broaden opportunities for home ownership.

 In considering these criteria it is clear that each can be achieved through the provision or promotion of Self Build within local planning policies, if there is sufficient evidence to do so. To this end LPA’s must now ensure that they:

 Plan for a mix of housing based on current and future demographic and market trends so as to meet the needs of different groups in the community.

 In addition they must identify the size, type, tenure and range of housing required in particular areas so as to reflect local demand and need.

 The Draft NPPF has now put Self Building on the political agenda which is swelling support from Central Government, but also from neighbourhood and community groups.

There is now pressure being exerted on LPA’s from all sides with Central Government, communities and industry keen to affect change and ensure that more Self Build schemes come forward to help shape sustainable communities and to change the face of UK house building for a long time to come.

This was a particularly pertinent issue with the seminar taking place as the Chancellor announced in his budget speech that the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework was to be issued on 27th March 2012.

The organisers of the event were delighted with its success stating: “The level of attendance shows the topics and speakers were valued highly”.

The Ecobuild show is the latest in Foxley Tagg’s highly successful programme of public appearances with the next being the Homebuilding and Renovating Show in the NEC, Birmingham between March 29th – April 1st 2012.

While George Osborne relaxes we get on with the coalface work with our MD delivering a key seminar ” How do planning changes affect self builders?” at the Ecobuild Show at ExCel today. With Foxley Tagg’s increasing interest and involvement in the self build arena this well received seminar plans for life after NPPF and the anticipated increase in the self build market.

The coalition may not be everyone’s friend with their efforts to kick start the building industry but through self build friendly policies we believe that central and local government are beginning to recognise and support this vital sector of the economy. This is long overdue and can form a basis on which to develop even more understanding of the self build and custom build marketplace providing the opportunity to build affordable homes throughout the country.