Object

Representation ID: 6249

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: IM Land

Agent: Barton Willmore

Self-build and custom housebuilding
Footnote 28 of the NPPF confirms that “under section 1 of the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, local authorities are required to keep a register of those seeking to acquire serviced plots in the area for their own self-build and custom house building. They are also subject to duties under sections 2 and 2A of the Act to have regard to this and to give enough suitable development permissions to meet”.
We understand that the Council has a duty to provide serviced plots to meet the demand on Part 1 of its Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register, but will take into account the demand shown by both parts of the register in considering planning applications. The proposed ‘Policy SB1 – Self-build and custom housebuilding’ sets out that new housing development must include a number of plots for self-build and custom housebuilders in accordance with the following, based on the overall number of net-additional dwellings proposed:
• 1-4 dwellings = no requirement
• 5-9 dwellings = 1 plot
• 10-29 dwellings = 2 plots
• 30-49 dwellings = 3 plots
• 50-69 dwellings = 5 plots
• 70-89 dwellings = 6 plots
• 90-100 dwellings = 7 plots
• 100+ dwellings = by negotiation
The proposed Policy SB1 requires that for sites of 50 dwellings or more:
“Plots will be marketed solely to individuals and associations on Part 1 of the Council’s Register in the first instance for an initial period of two months (minimum) from the commencement of the site being marketed.
- Following the initial marketing period, the offer of any unreserved plots will be extended to those on Part 2 of the Council’s Register and any new registrants to Part 1 having joined during the initial period. If the developer can provide evidence to the satisfaction of the Council that suitable purchasers from the Register have not been forthcoming within 6 months (minimum) of commencement of marketing the plots, they may be offered for unrestricted market sale to self-build and custom homebuilders including industry sector specialist companies
- Any plots not reserved within a further 6 months (minimum) will be released from this specific policy requirement, following a total of 12 months of marketing.”
As of 28th July 2021, the Bedford Borough Council Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register consists of the following:
• Individuals Part 1 = 41
• Individuals Part 2 = 133
• Associations Part 1 = 0
• Associations Part 2 = 0
• Total entries on register = 174
On this basis, it is unclear why the requirement of the proposed ‘Policy SB1 – Self-build and custom housebuilding’ is so high (considering the current level of demand). For larger sites, there is a total minimum marketing window of 12 months, which will have a detrimental impact on delivery and site build out. We would welcome a site-specific policy, which allows consideration of the level of demand for self-build and custom housing and a requirement for a proportionate level of self-build and custom plots at the time a planning application is submitted. Whilst we welcome a clause in the Section 106 Agreement, for the release of a plot from the requirement of Policy SB1 after a period of marketing, we consider a 12 month minimum marketing period to be unreasonable and unjustified.