Self-build sector set to increase dramatically in coming years

The survey, conducted by the National Custom & Self Build Association has found that one n five councils across the country have begun setting up a local custom and self-build register or undertaken intense research in order to understand the local demand for people desiring to build their own homes.

Many councils have also included opportunities for private homebuilders through their Local Plans, with 30 councils identifying suitable sites or locations where private homebuilding is encouraged. The National Custom & Self Build Association estimates that by the end of 2018, councils would have enabled up to 10,000 self or custom build opportunities to come forward, doubling the scale of the current self-build sector.

The study found that councils in the North East (70 per cent) have made it the easiest for people who want to build their own homes, while only 21 per cent of councils in London have taken action to boost private homebuilding.

Mario Wolf, the leader of the research and development team, said: “This work suggests that many councils are keen to support the Government’s ambition of doubling the level of private homebuilding in the UK to help address the growing need for more housing.

“If realised, it will help diversify our homebuilding industry, create local jobs and support smaller builders and thousands of suppliers up and down the country. But we have also found that councils need on-going help to drive forward these initiatives, and that the financing of private homebuilding projects is a lot easier abroad.”

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