Agenda item

The Committee considered the report which sought to provide Members with a detailed understanding of ways to encourage more custom and self-build in East Devon.

During discussion some members expressed frustration about recommendation 3 and comments were made that the proposed task and finish forum would duplicate work already completed by the Overview Committee and Housing Review Board.  It was also commented that the detailed work already undertaken had not been included in this document.  The Chief Executive responded to the views expressed and advised the idea of another task and finish form had come from Members themselves as expressed in the Member Workshop on self and custom build in December 2018.  The Chief Executive advised the comments made would be addressed.

Comments made during discussions included:

·        A good way to bring good quality affordable housing into the community;

·        Interpretation for self-build and affordability;

·        The need for work on examples including modular builds.

·        The need to tailor buildings to community needs;

·        Homes England policies have changed;

·        Custom build houses provides work for small builders;

·        Frustration was expressed that some very expensive houses are alleged to be self-build;

·        The National Planning Policy guidance considers how to best support self-build and custom house building;

·        Building houses builds communities;

·        The Right to Buy Model should be used for custom and self-build housing, people should have working and family links to the area;

·        EDDC own a huge piece of housing land in Axminster that could be used for the benefit of people who live in the East Devon area.  Concerns raised that EDDC had not moved forward with the site in Axminster.  In response the Chief Executive noted the concerns raised and suggested it could be discussed at the Housing Review Board to better understand the levels of difficulty the council is faced with;

·        Big demand for assisted living units which could potentially release existing housing stock;

·        Conflicting demands between building more affordable houses and the delivery of infrastructure.  Self-build houses are being gamed by people who want to build large expensive houses.  

·        It was queried whether a tier classification could be introduced so that large and expensive houses built pay CIL and to use the CIL tool to encourage building the type of property that is wanted.  In response the Chief Executive agreed in principle that it was for ordinary families to acquire land to build their own houses but said the difficulty was policy allowed houses to be built subject to finances available.  In response to the comment about CIL the Chief Executive advised that CIL did not apply to self and custom build.

·        Clarification sought on Policy H2.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised it was not a requirement, however, it could be considered at the local plan review to look at evidence to put in a policy to make this a requirement.

The Chief Executive noted the comments made to recommendation 3 and advised a revised report can be brought back to Strategic Planning Committee to help tie up what has been done through previous forums, what other authorities are doing and potential actions to promote self and custom building in the district.

RESOLVED:

1.     That a total of 93  individual registered on the self-build register at the end of the monitoring period (30 October 2018) and the need to take this into account when undertaking the Council’s planning, housing regeneration and disposal of land functions be noted.

2.     That the need to permission nine suitable plots in addition to those already consented to meet the demand shown on the self-build register during the next 3 years (by 31 October 2021) be noted.

3.     That a new comprehensive report on self-build be brought to the next appropriate Strategic Planning Committee taking into account what is happening in the district, what the council can do to assist and taking the outcome of the Housing task and finish forum and Housing Review Board Workshop into account.