Mario Wolf, Director of the Right to Build Task Force
What is The Right to Build New duty on Councils since April 2016 Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015: keep and publicise a Register of people who want to self/custom build in their area; have regard to Register when exercising planning, housing, land disposal, regeneration functions Housing and Planning Act 2016: amends/supplements Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 duty on Councils to meet demand on Register by granting development permissions for enough serviced plots to meet demand on rolling annual basis (three years to deliver) defines what Custom and Self Build homes are and what a serviced plot is Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Regulations 2016 Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (Time for Compliance and Fees) Regulations 2016
The Right to Build Task Force Launched February 2017 by NaCSBA Funded by the Nationwide Foundation Supported by Government in Housing White Paper Established to support local authorities and other organisations across the UK to deliver large, affordable Custom and Self Build housing projects Supports objective to deliver 20,000+ Custom and Self Build homes per year by 2020, to give more people the choice to have an affordable that fully meets their needs Comprises Task Force Director and Panel of Experts, overseen by Board which includes representatives from NaCSBA, HCA, NHF, LGA, RICS and RTPI
Type of organisations and projects supported Local authorities, community organisations/groups, housing associations, devolved administrations, other public sector bodies (across UK) Focus on delivering more affordable/lower cost Custom and Self build homes Priority given to projects delivering more homes at scale, or initiatives that are capable of replication: Larger local authority/private sector projects Community-led projects or initiatives Projects need strong support/backing from senior local politicians Target to support 80 organisations by end of 2019
Strategic Planning Design Codes Serviced Plots Demand assessments Areas where Task Force can help Funding and viability Group projects Affordable housing Marketing and promotion
Generic online advice already available www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
Creation of Serviced Plots www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
Opportunities to deliver at scale and density www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
Opportunities in garden towns and villages, on larger sites to diversify offer, or smaller sites on edge of urban areas, or exception sites
Custom Build enabled models www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
Collective (Group) Projects www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
Affordable housing policy compliant models Community Land Trusts Discount market sale Shared ownership Affordable and social rent Opportunities on exception sites or as part of affordable housing mix on larger sites www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
Neighbourhood planning opportunities Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan Allocation for 112 Custom and Self Build homes 11 homes 101 homes www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
New delivery models www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
International Collaboration
International experience (mixed approaches on larger sites) www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
International experience (speeding up delivery) New Delft- one third Custom and Self Build housing as part of city regeneration project of over 800 homes (consents on plots given in two weeks in accordance with design code)
Self-refurbishment opportunities www.customandselfbuildtoolkit.org.uk
How does the Right to Build Task Force work? SUBMIT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST INITIAL DISCUSSION WITH TASK FORCE DIRECTOR PROPOSAL PREPARED AND PROJECT BRIEF AGREED QUALIFIED TASK FORCE EXPERT APPOINTED TO MATCH NEEDS WORK UNDERTAKEN TO AGREED MILESTONES
How is support structured? Support normally limited to five days work per project (available over 6 months) Costs agreed between supported organisation and Task Force in advance Half the cost discounted by Task Force (thanks to support by the Nationwide Foundation) Typical rates 500 per day + VAT (50% discounted for local authorities and communities) More support can be provided (costs not discounted) Private sector priced on project basis, depending on individual needs (not discounted)
Progress so far Interest high- steady stream of enquiries (150+ enquiries so far)- almost 20 organisations supported to date Main interest from garden village promoters, councils with ambitious delivery plans and private landowners, enablers Support already given to range of high profile projects Range of further commissions now being finalised, including from land promoters and some community groups Will be working with Teignbridge District Council to advise on range of initiatives Presence at conferences and events nationally and pushing messages through media Rebranded the Custom and Self Build Toolkit as the Right to Build Toolkit
Examples of supported projects Aylesbury Woodlands (part of Garden Town) Buckinghamshire Advantage At least 165 plots on 1,100 home scheme (15%) Final quantum, mix, location still being considered
Examples of supported projects North Northamptonshire Advice on opportunities to secure Custom and Self Build housing at Tresham Garden Village and elsewhere, including the 6 sustainable urban extensions of 20,000 homes Tresham Garden Village masterplan consultation includes target of 20% Custom and Self Build homes of up to 1,500 homes
Examples of other supported organisations Basingstoke and Deane Council (advice on SPD) Potton (advice on Custom Build affordable housing delivery models) Cornwall and South Cambridgeshire/Cambridge (workshops with senior Council officers) Warrington Council (workshop with Development Company and enablers in association with the LEP) Advice to landowners on Custom and Self Build opportunities for several sites
Some of the delivery challenges we are advising on Estimating demand Deciding on mix and type of projects to support Finding delivery partners/enablers Locational considerations on larger sites Viability considerations (which model fits best) Scope and delivery of design codes Managing buildout Delivering affordable housing Winning hearts and minds of landowners/larger developers and communities Identifying suitable policy solutions to fit the local context
New demand assessment tool in development (First Pilot is Greater Exeter Strategic Plan area)
We are here to help, please contact us at: righttobuildtoolkit.org.uk taskforce@nacsba.org.uk