NaCSBA Chair Michael Holmes and I visited Westminster yesterday to discuss custom and self build issues with the Housing Minister Brandon Lewis MP.
In a very cordial meeting, the group discussed the way forward for custom and self build so that the government can meet it’s stated aim of doubling the numbers of custom and self build projects by 2020. The discussions included proposals to accelerate land supply and the use of exception site policy to free up plots for individuals and custom build enablers in rural areas, ways to stimulate finance and lending and ways by which NaCSBA and government can support delivery of the Right to Build legislation once the scheme is rolled out to all local authorities.
It is clear that custom and self build remains high on the government’s agenda and the Minister was receptive to many of the ideas floated by the NaCSBA team through a comprehensive briefing note provided for the Minister. Clearly, the impact of the Departmental Spending Review due to be delivered later in the year will have a huge outcome on some issues. Because of the Review, some policies, including levelling the taxation playing field for custom build enablers so they can operate on an equal basis to self builders will remain unresolved for the moment and will require further work with the Treasury, but it is encouraging to see that we have such enthusiastic support at the highest levels.
