Further Proposed Modifications to the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011- 2031

The policy doesn't appropriately promote self build and custom build housing as required by NPPF Paragraph 61 and the Self-build and Custom Build Act 2015 (as amended 2016), which "Under section 1 of the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, local authorities are required to keep a register of those seeking to acquire serviced plots in the area for their own self-build and custom house building. They are also subject to duties under sections 2 and 2A of the Act to have regard to this and to give enough suitable development permissions to meet the identified demand. Self and custom-build properties could provide market or affordable housing.”

According to Council they have granted permission for 100 self-build and custom build plots to date and there are 317 people on the Self Build Register: Meaning that the Council needs to grant at least another 217 plots over the next three years. However, this policy as drafted is only proposing a further 56 across the plan period. It is acknowledge that a small proportion may come forward via windfall applications but that is highly unlikely to provide the 161 extra required by people on the list currently. It also fails to account for the fact that more people are likely to join the register during the plan period and furthermore The Right to Build Task Force estimate that only 15% of the public are aware of the self build register, meaning the base point is likely to grossly underestimate the need.