Meeting with the National Self-Build Association – the representatives of the self-build industry –Shapps said that for too long obstacles have led to the UK having one of the lowest proportions of new homes built by self-builders in Europe, and that he wanted to see the self-build industry become a mainstream housing option.
Earlier this year, Shapps asked NaSBA and other industry experts to work with his officials to prepare an action plan to boost the number of self-builders across the country, and address the common barriers aspiring self-builders face.
Today they presented him with their findings on tackling the main challenges holding the self-build industry back: the availability of land and finance, lack of support from industry for new self-builders and the impact of regulation.
Their report sets out 15 proposals for action to help self-builders, including that more land be made available for self-builders.
It calls for government to ask councils to gauge the demand for self-build in their area and account for this is their planning strategies.
It also calls for new implementation models, which include making serviced plots available to self-builders, to be actively promoted across the industry and the public sector.
The report suggests lenders be encouraged to offer more finance products for those building their own home and wants revolving funds to be made available to support group self-build schemes, which Mr Shapps has pledged to give serious consideration to.
Over-burdensome regulations hampering the growth of the sector should be removed or simplified, the report says, and it calls for government to introduce more proportionate planning rules for small developments.
It also says the self-build industry itself needs to provide clearer independent information to would-be self-builders.
A new online self-build portal is proposed to be set up to enable more people to get a project underway.
Shapps said that significant work had been put into producing the report and thanked all those involved, and that he will consider any proposed action for government carefully; prioritising those that could have the biggest and quickest impact on the growth of the sector.
He pointed to the significant government action which is underway as a sign of its commitment to growing the industry.
He has written, in discussion with the Building Societies Association, to chief executives of banks and building societies, calling on them to make more finance options available to those looking to build their own home.
Shapps challenged the industry to get behind the proposed self-build portal, saying that key to opening up the industry to more people was improving access to the self-build concept.
Up to 20,000 people build their own homes each year.
Saying that all communities could benefit from self-build projects, Shapps promised to give serious consideration to how government can support proposals for suitable revolving fund facilities to be made available for group self-build projects.
Shapps said: “Self-builders deliver affordable, greener and more innovatively-designed homes, and make a big contribution to the number of new homes built in this country.
“But there is still significant opportunity for growth in the sector which can only be opened up if Government and industry work together.
“Today’s report is the culmination of months of hard work by the industry, and sets out extensive proposals for action on how we can relinquish the industry of its tag as being just for the rich and privileged, and bring the opportunity of self-building to the masses.
“I will carefully consider the report’s recommendations as steps that could be taken alongside the significant steps to make self-build not only more attractive but also more accessible – including making more land available and encouraging lenders to borrow to self-builders.
“But I pledge to continue pushing for the actions necessary to make self-build an easier option for everyone.
“That’s why I will be meeting with some of our biggest retailers to discuss how they can help support the growth of the sector and I challenge the industry to get behind the proposed self-build ‘portal’.
“And I will immediately begin looking into the practicalities of establishing suitable revolving fund facilities for community self-build projects, so that more projects can get off the ground.”
Ted Stevens, chairman of the National Self-build Association, said: “This action plan is the most positive development in the self-build sector for probably 50 years, and if we are able to deliver on the key recommendations, we could see significant growth in the self-build sector, and result in tens of thousands of additional people being able to build their own affordable properties.
“In turn this will create jobs, stimulate growth within the self-build supply chain and help people get the custom designed, modestly priced and very sustainable homes they really want”.
Raymond Connor, chief executive of BuildStore Financial Services, said: "The proposals outlined in the action plan and level of support from government will help to trigger the new revolution of home building.
“Growing the industry will be a massive and much-needed boost for local economies and the construction supply chain, as well as aspiring self-builders.
“BuildStore has been championing self-build as a valid housing procurement route for some time, and with the changing housing market creating the perfect conditions, self-build is set to become mainstream.
“The ability for people to design and build a home to their own specifications has huge appeal, and the fact that it can be more affordable than buying on the open market makes it an obvious choice for many people wanting to get on or move up the housing ladder."
John Hoad, strategic director planning housing and economy at Cherwell District Council, said: "Cherwell District Council fully embraces the challenge to overcome barriers to mainstreaming self-build housing. Self-build housing presents an opportunity for people to take an active part in their housing solutions and provides potential for a new model of affordable home ownership.
“We recognise that we are in a time when new approaches need to be explored and tested out and as a council are developing a model of self-build housing which is accessible for people regardless of income.”
Scottish government housing and transport minister, Keith Brown MSP said: “The Scottish government is committed to supporting the self-build sector and therefore welcomes this action plan.
“Many of the recommendations are also relevant to Scotland so we are keen to work with the industry to promote self-build as a viable option for more households.”
