A new task force to push Right to Build and the custom build housing sector aims create more affordable homes across the UK
The Right to Build agenda has been given a boost after a new task force has been launched. The task force of experts will work alongside local authorities, community groups, and other key stakeholders to help with the delivery of affordable homes.
The task force is funded by the Nationwide Foundation and its creation was supported by the National Custom and Self-Build Association (NaCSBA).
The group will focus on custom and self-build housing projects, an area the government has been keen to promote over the past few years. Lessons learnt from projects the group supports will be shared via the Right to Build Portal, ensuring other similar schemes can benefit from this knowledge in the future.
Self-build has the potential to become mainstream
Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self Build, Custom and Community Housebuilding and Placemaking Richard Bacon said the task force would only be useful if it is truly embraced.
“Although we have these important new powers in England, custom and self-build housing will only become mainstream if local authorities and other organisations truly harness these powers.”
Bacon added: “This is where the new Right to Build Task Force comes in, with its experts on hand to help. This may be councils needing help setting up, or better marketing of their demand registers, or advice in creating planning strategies.
“Alternatively, it could also include affordable housing providers or community groups who are needing help to engage with Councils. I am confident the Task Force will deliver real change.”
Support for self-build
NaCSBA chair Michael Holmes said the task force will help people build their own affordable home.
“The Task Force will deliver valuable support to local authorities, affordable housing providers and community groups delivering effective policies and unlocking real projects.
“We know that English local authorities have a duty to grant planning permissions for 18,000 serviced plots by 31st October 2019,” he said.
“And this is only the tip of the iceberg with people registering on the new English demand registers on a daily basis. There is also huge untapped potential in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” he added.
With support from the government as well as a number of partners including he Building and Social Housing Foundation, National Housing Federation, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Royal Town Planning Institute, the task force hopes to make a real difference to the self-build sector.
Right to Build
Right to Build was established in 2016 and the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 requires all local authorities in England to keep a register of those seeking to land to self-build.
