Self-build houses and custom build houses

Boosting the supply of housing is one of the Government’s key planning objectives. This doesn’t just mean schemes by large housebuilders, but includes small sites, and those who want to commission or build their own homes. Planning policies also often support the conversion of existing buildings to homes. In recent years, the Government has expanded ‘permitted development rights’, and as a result, some conversions may not even require planning permission.

If you’re planning to create a new home, you may already own a piece of land where you want to build, or you may own a structure which could be converted. Alternatively, we can help point you in the right direction to find a suitable plot.

Once you find a site, getting planning permission is not always easy. Within identified towns and villages, sites are often heavily constrained and may require imaginative design solutions. Outside of those settlements, many Councils’ development plans typically apply a very restrictive approach - even more so if the area is in the Green Belt or is in a designated landscape, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

However, even if your plot is outside of a ‘development boundary’, the National Planning Policy Framework takes a slightly more flexible approach than many development plans. For instance, it recognises the need to maintain rural communities and services. This could mean support for a house in, or close to, a small hamlet or village. If your site is ‘brownfield’ or ‘previously developed land’ this may also help in the overall planning balance.

Additionally, the Framework requires Councils to demonstrate that they have enough housing supply in their ‘pipeline’ and are delivering against their targets. If they can’t do this, the Council’s policies may carry less weight, and the Framework’s ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ could apply.

Planning authorities are also required to keep a self-build and custom housebuilding register of those seeking to acquire serviced plots in their area. As summarised in the Government’s Planning Practice Guidance, they have a duty to give permission to enough suitable plots to meet that demand.

The upshot of all this is that even where a scheme is contrary to the Council’s policies, there may be scope to get planning permission.

Once you’ve found a suitable plot, there’s then the matter of working together to produce a high-quality, sustainable design, that will meet your aspirations, whilst satisfying the Council’s requirements. We can help with that process, including finding a suitable architect, and we can project manage your application.

As stated by Richard Asbury of Maack architects (https://www.maack.co.uk/):

““We need to encourage and support small independent developers and self-builders - development should be seen as a positive benefit to our communities. It’s most successful when it produces high-quality sustainable design which meets the councils requirements and communities expectations win:win!”

Even if the Council refuses permission for your proposal, you can appeal against that decision to The Planning Inspectorate. We have extensive experience of the appeals process.

Finally, don’t forget that you can claim a VAT refund on a DIY conversion or new build scheme.

Planning policies are rapidly evolving, with the Government having recently set out proposals in a White Paper called ‘Planning for the Future’ for a simpler, faster and more predictable system. This may mean that in the future planning applications will need less supporting information and that there will be greater certainty in terms of outcome. Crucially, the White Paper continues to ‘support those who want to build their own homes to find plots of land’.

For the latest developments, guidance on finding a suitable plot, design advice, or help through the planning and appeals process, please do get in contact.