A UK self build market report has suggested the sector will double by 2018 as local councils do more to help those wishing to build their own home.
A survey conducted by the National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) found that one in five councils had started a custom / self-build register, or at least had taken steps to measure interest among its residents in building their own homes.
There were also encouraging signs from many councils who had made provision within their Local Plans for private housebuilding by identifying plots and locations deemed suitable for such development.
Councils in the North East of England are currently the most supportive of custom and self-build schemes, with 70% of local authorities in the region actively progressing initiatives designed to make the process easier. The West Midlands and South West also fared well, but London self-builders will be disappointed to note that only 21% of councils in the capital have introduced such practices – in stark contrast to the pledges Boris Johnson made back in February.
“This work suggests that many councils are keen to support the Government’s ambition of doubling the level of private homebuilding in the UK to help address the growing need for more housing. If realised, it will help diversify our homebuilding industry, create local jobs and support smaller builders and thousands of suppliers up and down the country.
‘But we have also found that councils need on-going help to drive forward these initiatives, and that the financing of private homebuilding projects is a lot easier abroad.”
– Mario Wolf, Research & Development Team Leader, NaCSBA
In support of its research into how England compares with other countries, NaCSBA has already completed visits to several German regions, and locations across the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Scotland. In addition the team is examining the Irish, US and Australian markets, and is currently investigating how the Scandinavian and some Far Eastern sectors operate.
Houseplansdirect is proud to be a member of NaCSBA and offering support to self-builders both in the UK and abroad. You can read the full UK self build market report from NaCSBA here.
