The proposed policy would require all development of 20 units or more to provide at least 5% of homes as plots for self-build or custom housebuilding. This policy is considered to be justified on the basis that since 2016 there have been 639 entries added to the self-build register for Greater Cambridge, an average of 140 per annum. It would therefore appear from the evidence presented by the Councils that there are relatively high levels of demand for self-build and custom house building plots. However, what is not clear is whether the Council have revisited this register to ascertain whether individuals on it are still looking to self-build or whether they have acquired a plot since asking to be placed on the register.

When registers have been reviewed in other areas Councils have seen numbers fall dramatically. For example, when Runnymede Borough Council reviewed their register and introduced an entry fee of £65 for the register, and a £60 annual fee for each year after has led to the numbers of interested parties on the register fall from 155 to just 3. Similarly, when Fareham Borough Council introduced an annual registration fee from 1st August 2017 and as a result (as set out at paragraph 4.25 of their 2017-18 AMR), the Council’s Self Build Register recorded those 35 individuals initially signed up in the first base period, which ran from 21st March 2016 (the date the register was created) to 30th October 2016. Following the introduction of the fee, the number who wished to remain on the register dropped to 12, a reduction of 65%. Whilst we recognise that requiring a fee will have an impact, however, it also suggests that many on registers may no longer be interested in self-build, and it is important to review the register regularly.

It will also be necessary for the Council to establish home many plots would be delivered through this policy. We could not find this evidence in the relevant topic paper and in order for the policy to be considered sound it must be reasonably related to the demand for self-build plots in Greater Cambridge.

With regard to the timescale for the reversion of self-build plots to the developer if they remain unsold this should be as short as possible. The provision of self & custom build plots on sites of more than 20 dwellings adds to the complexity and logistics of developing these sites. It is difficult to co-ordinate the provision of self & custom build plots with the development of the wider site. Often there are multiple contractors and large machinery operating on-site, the development of single plots by individuals operating alongside this construction activity raises both practical and health & safety concerns. Unsold plots should not be left empty to the detriment of neighbouring dwellings or the whole development. Any differential between the lead-in times / build out rates of self & custom build plots and the wider site may lead to construction work outside of specified working hours, building materials stored outside of designated compound areas and unfinished plots next to completed / occupied dwellings resulting in customer dissatisfaction. As such we would recommend a 6-month timescale after which unsold plots revert to the developer. This time period should be sufficient if the demand for self-build plots is in line with the Council’s expectations.