Policy H/CB: Self and custom build homes

National planning policy requires the housing needs of those who wish to commission or build their own homes to be reflected in planning policies. National legislation requires local authorities to keep a register of those people seeking to acquire serviced plots within the area for their own self-builds and custom builds, and through the same legislation local planning authorities have a duty to grant planning permission for enough suitable plots to meet the identified demand. 

Responses received to the First Conversation 2020 consultation highlighted both a shortfall in the provision of self and custom build in

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

compared to demand on the Councils register, and that the register is likely to overestimate demand due to the attractiveness of the area and the ability to be included on more than one register. Some respondents suggested that the Councils should promote self and custom build opportunities on the edges of villages as exceptions to policy. The comments received highlighted the need to include a mechanism for the delivery of self-build plots that are not taken up within a specified timescale, and also that the viability of requiring self and custom build plots on new developments should be sufficiently tested.

1. To allow the development of custom and/or self-build housing generally as an exception to policy - This is not the preferred approach as it is likely to hamper the delivery of rural exception sites for affordable housing.

2. No policy - Not considered a reasonable alternative as the Councils have a duty to permit sufficient plots to meet demand and the provision of sufficient plots is unlikely without a policy.

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 7: Homes
• Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy 2019-2023: Homes for Our Future and Annexes 1-8 (Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, April 2019)
• Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk Housing Needs of Specific Groups Study (2021)
• Housing Needs of Specific Groups Study – Addendum for

  The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  (2021)
• Greater Cambridge Custom and Self Build Register 

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy H/9: Housing Mix

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 - None

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.