PLANNERS, housing officers and policy makers from across the south west have come together in Newton Abbot to find out how they can help local people build their own homes, thanks to the country’s first Self-Build Housing Workshop.

The special event was arranged by the National Self-Build Association with help from the Department for Communities and Local Government and Teignbridge District Council.

Held at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot on Thursday 2 February, it saw national experts including Government officials explain how local authorities can take account of new national policies to give more people the opportunity to build their own home.

Topics raised with the 50-strong audience included the Government’s Housing Strategy and the Custom Build Homes programme, presented by Mario Wolf, a senior policy advisor at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Discussions focussed on the implication of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Government’s emerging national planning guidelines. Attendees also took part in practical workshops and question and answer sessions, as well as examining case studies about successful self build projects.

It came at a good time for the authorities involved, many of which are preparing their own comprehensive long-term plans for housing, employment and other development in their areas. Among them is host district Teignbridge, whose Council Leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers formally welcomed people to the event.

Among the authorities represented were Teignbridge District Council, Cornwall Council, Dartmoor National Park, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council, Plymouth City Council, Sedgemoor District Council, South Gloucestershire Council, South Hams District Council, Torbay Council and West Somerset Council. Also represented were the Homes and Communities Agency, Cornwall Community Land Trust, Cornwall Rural Housing Association, The Land Society and South Devon College.

Ted Stevens, Chair of the National Self-Build Association said: “This event was the first of its kind, and based on its success we’ll be seeking to run similar events around the country. There’s a sea-change happening in the world of planning, and we’re keen to work with the Government and local councils to help make sure the ideas on paper come to life for the benefit of local people.

“Self-build projects can have tremendous benefits, supporting local construction industries and giving the community real power over the look and feel of their area. From individuals looking to build a single home for their family, to neighbours pulling together for community self build projects, self build offers a cost effective and flexible approach to putting the right things in the right places. Research and experience shows that over 50 per cent of people would like to build their own home, and those who do are more satisfied with their home and surrounding area. Self-build generally saves people tens of thousands of pounds compared to market prices, making them more affordable and a better investment than buying something pre-built or even off-plan.

"Our thanks go to the Department for Communities and Local Government and to Teignbridge District Council for their support of this event. I know the attendees have been given some good food for thought, and hopefully will be taking away some fresh ideas for applying self build policies in their areas.”

Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council said: “I was delighted to welcome this workshop to Teignbridge and it was very rewarding to see the level of interest shown by everyone in attendance. Sheltering our family is one of our most basic human instincts, a real fundamental need, yet in recent years it has become too complicated to self build. We have promised to simplify local politics and this is a good example of how we can cut red tape.

“Helping people build their way on to the housing ladder is a simple idea which is used across Europe but in the UK we are way behind. Events like this help improve our knowledge and bring us closer to making things happen. I have built my own house in the past I know what a great alternative to market housing they can be, and I’m keen to encourage this in Teignbridge. The advantage of self/custom building is that it adds value to our local economy by employing local people and companies. Each home generates 2.4 jobs, 1.5 directly and 0.9 indirectly, bringing local jobs for local people. This has to be the way forward!”

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning said:

“Custom-building is a fascinating area to explore, and in fact we’ve recently been promoting our policies to help people in rural areas build their own affordable home.

“With our long term plan for the district out to public consultation and still set to evolve, now is a perfect time to discuss national policy and how our plans can take account of it. Behind every technical planning document is a vision of how our future will look, full of real-world impacts that make a difference to everyday life. We want to bring our plans alive for local people and champion new ways of providing good quality homes. It’s all about choice for local people and taking a flexible approach to building the homes we desperately need.”

One of the key organisers and presenters at the conference was Sally Tagg, Director of Foxley Tagg Planning in Cheltenham. She said: “This was a great opportunity to explain more about the emerging self-build sector and the ways in which planners and housing officers will be required to understand and plan for this type of development.

“Today we’ve looked at the opportunities and challenges which new planning policies bring, and how those on the ground can successfully turn policy into tangible local action. We had a good turn-out which was a really positive sign that authorities in the south west are ready to take notice of self-build and thoughtfully incorporate it in to their plans.

“From the feedback we have had from those attending, I think there is a real appetite to understand this sector of housing, and a realisation that we as a profession need to facilitate and promote this option. We were delighted at the high turnout and the very valuable contributions that the participants made.”