By The Right to Build Task Force has published the first phase of a comprehensive suite of guidance designed to support the delivery of custom and self-build homes in England.
The guidance complements existing legislation and regulations, together with the National Planning Policy Framework 2019 (NPPF) and National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG).
The guidance aims to ensure consistent good practice in the delivery of custom and self-build homes and in particular the Right to Build legislation.
It aims to fill identified gaps in what is currently available and to provide a clear steer in areas where different practice is being observed.
These documents will continue to evolve with the market, reflecting the ongoing emergence of good and ultimately best practice.
They will respond to changes in legislation, regulations, planning appeals and case law, as well as to the national planning framework and guidance.
In total, the guidance will be made up of an Overview, 16 Guidance Notes and 4 Appendices, which together will make up a significant body of work (see Appendix for full list).
The first phase of the Custom and Self-build Planning Guidance (below) is available on the Right to Build Task Force’s website www.righttobuild.org.uk.
The documents are open to feedback until 30 November 2020, with final guidance notes to be published by 31 December 2020. The remaining documents aim to be published in three further phases.
| PG0 | Overview |
| PG1 | Defining Custom and Self-build |
| PG2 | Delivering a sufficient supply of homes |
| PG9 | Using register numbers to identify plots to be permissioned |
| PG10 | Counting relevant permissioned plots |
| Appendix A | Legislation & Regulation |
| Appendix B | National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance |
| Appendix C | Other key policy documents |
Bryony Harrington, Head of the Task Force, said:
“The Custom and Self-build Planning Guidance has been informed by the learning of the Task Force as to the delivery of custom and self-build homes in practice and, in particular, the application of the Right to Build legislation.”
“The guidance will be indispensable for the sector, for local authorities and for other stakeholders working to bring on serviced plots, such as landowners and developers.”
“This guidance will help bring much needed certainty and consistency to the market providing a single and trusted source of information.”
“The stated aim of the legislation back in 2016 was ‘to make it much easier for people to find land to build or commission their own home, diversifying housing supply and revitalising smaller builders who have not experienced the same level of recovery as the large housebuilders since the financial crisis’.”
“The need for this legislation to work effectively is clearly as important now as it has ever been and the guidance will help to make this happen.”
Appendix: Summary of the Custom and Self-build Planning Guidance
| PG0 | Overview | October 2020 |
| Definitions | ||
| PG1 | Defining Custom and Self-build | October 2020 |
| Plan Making and Policies | ||
| PG2 | Delivering a sufficient supply of homes | October 2020 |
| PG3 | Provision of affordable housing, including exception sites | Phase 2 |
| PG4 | Designs of exceptional quality | Phase 4 |
| PG5 | Sustainability | Phase 3 |
| PG6 | Supplementary Planning Documents (template) | Phase 4 |
| PG7 | Neighbourhood plans and the process | Phase 4 |
| PG8 | Maintaining open and inclusive registers and engaging with those on the register | Phase 2 |
| Decision Taking | ||
| PG9 | Using register numbers to identify plots to be permissioned | October 2020 |
| PG10 | Counting relevant permissioned plots | October 2020 |
| PG11 | NPPF and Right to Build Legislation ? delivering appropriate permissions | Phase 2 |
| PG12 | Working with multi-plot sites and phased delivery | Phase 3 |
| PG13 | Annual Monitoring Reporting (template) | Phase 2 |
| PG14 | Securing delivery of self and custom build homes | Phase 3 |
| Engaging | ||
| PG15 | Working with groups of self-builders | Phase 4 |
| PG16 | How to address undersupply (strategic & short-term) | Phase 3 |
| Appendices | ||
| Appendix A | Legislation & Regulation | October 2020 |
| Appendix B | National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance | October 2020 |
| Appendix C | Other key policy documents | October 2020 |
| Appendix D | Planning appeals | Phase 2 |
Comments