More Self-Build homes in the pipeline for Plymouth

A number of new self-build housing projects in Plymouth will move a step closer after funding was approved by Plymouth City Council.

The Executive Decision signed by Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans, gives the go-ahead for supporting eight self-build serviced plots on two brownfield sites in the city – one at Lancaster Gardens, Whitleigh, and the other at Maidstone Place, Ernesettle.

In total £241,048 in capital funding was approved for the projects, which were granted planning permission in September 2014. Councillor Evans also approved the establishment of a ‘rolling fund’ to deliver self-build serviced plot sites funded from the profit from capital receipts received which are in excess of capital costs.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Housing, said: “I’m very pleased to be able to help move these projects forward. Plymouth is at the forefront of the self-build revolution, we have a number of self-build projects in the pipeline totalling 112 units on Council land, and we have identified plots for sale. This ranges from the sites at Whitleigh and Ernesettle, to a scheme for service veterans, more than 30 homes at Bickleigh and West Park, and a further 40 self-build units at Kings Tamerton.

“Our Plan for Homes aims to address the chronic housing shortage by delivering more than 1,000 new homes every year. We are committed to a number of initiatives to make this happen, including self-build opportunities.

“Self and custom build is not a ‘one size fits all’ and it provides something different for people’s individual needs. There is already considerable interest in self and custom-build in the city, with so far nearly 200 people on the self-build register.

“Our overall aims are to help local people into the housing market, to provide alternative housing choices in the city, and for these self-build sites to act as a springboard to bring forward additional sites in the medium term.”

The Right to Build Bill which aims to enable more people to use self and custom build housing received Royal Assent on 26 March and is now an Act of Parliament. Click here for more information.

Anyone who wants to express an interest in self or custom build homes can do so by emailing housingdelivery@plymouth.gov.uk