Member

We are aware of concerns that the implementation of the self-build and custom housebuilding legislation is not supporting self and custom-build homes sufficiently. We are also aware of concerns that development permissions that are not intended to be built out as self and custom-build housing have been counted towards the relevant authority’s statutory duty to grant permissions in line with demand in their area, as evidenced by their self and custom-build registers. Although I understand the concerns of the noble Baroness, the definition of the development permission that can be counted by relevant authorities to meet their duties under the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 was amended through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. The changes strengthen the definition to ensure that only development permissions explicitly for the carrying out of self-build and custom housebuilding qualify towards the statutory duty to grant planning permission. These changes came into force in January 2024 and there has been limited time for the impact to be felt so far. The Secretary of State already has the power, under the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, to make regulations to specify the types of planning permission and permission in principle that can be counted by the relevant authority in meeting their duty, should he choose to exercise his discretion to do so.