Get planning on your DIY home! Councils are urged to grant permission for build-your-own property to give more people a foot on the housing ladder
- A review to be announced on Friday will check if current measures meet demand
- Currently around 15,000 families design or build their own home each year
- Ministers believe there is still more to be done to support the self build industry
If you’re dreaming of building your own home, changes to the planning rules could soon make the process far less daunting.
Councils will be urged to ensure permission is granted for suitable plots to give more people a foot on the housing ladder.
Currently around 15,000 families design or build their own home each year, which is 50 per cent higher than two years ago.
But ministers believe there is still more to be done to support the self and custom-build industry, last estimated be worth almost £4.5billion to the UK economy.
![Councils will be urged to ensure permission is granted for suitable plots to give more people a foot on the housing ladder if they want to build their own home [Stock image]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/30/01/35024698-8895665-image-a-170_1604020307502.jpg)
Councils will be urged to ensure permission is granted for suitable plots to give more people a foot on the housing ladder if they want to build their own home [Stock image]
Local authorities are currently required to keep a register of those who wish to build in their area.
Each year they should grant planning permission to enough plots to match that demand.
A review to be announced by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick today will examine how effectively these arrangements work.
Last night Mr Jenrick said: ‘We are backing people who want to design and build their own home and today I have launched a review to ensure councils provide enough land and take proper consideration for these homes when making planning decisions in their area.’
![England has the lowest known rate of self-commissioned homes in the developed world, according to Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, of the National Custom and Self Build Association [Stock image]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/30/01/35024696-8895665-image-a-171_1604020312060.jpg)
England has the lowest known rate of self-commissioned homes in the developed world, according to Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, of the National Custom and Self Build Association [Stock image]
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, of the National Custom and Self Build Association, said: ‘England has the lowest known rate of self-commissioned homes in the developed world.
‘Our new homes market is crying out for the greener and higher quality build that goes hand-in-hand with more consumer choice.
‘Housing diversification is key to the Government’s housing strategy. This excellent announcement today by the Government should help many more people achieve the dream of living in better and more beautiful homes.’
Tory MP Richard Bacon, an ambassador for the Right to Build Task Force, said: ‘Some local councils are already doing an excellent job in providing more opportunities but some others are not yet supporting the spirit of the legislation and have some way to go if they are to grasp the huge opportunities for more and better housing.’