Izzy Lepone 01 August 2025

Councils underperform in meeting self-build plots demand

Councils underperform in meeting self-build plots demand image
Scaffolding surrounds a house under construction with a tiled roof and exposed wooden gable. © Ian Dyball / Shutterstock.com.

Over 50% of councils reportedly did not abide by legal guidelines around authorising sufficient numbers of self-build homes.

Forty per cent of these local authorities fell short by at least half of the expected quantity of self-build plots, according to The Times.

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) has highlighted that councils are legally obliged to record and match the demand for self-build plots by ensuring a ‘supply of appropriate plots’ is provided.

An NSBRC spokesperson said: ‘Self built homes are typically better designed than mass-produced housing, much more energy efficient and often being built by local people who are already engaged with the local community.

‘We would urge local councils to ensure they take their obligations seriously, and in the right spirit (i.e. not putting obstacles in the way such as means testing or register fees) and we encourage government to both provide adequate level of funding and resource for local authority planning departments’.

The NSBRC also emphasised the importance of taking ‘action’ against councils that underperform based on the legal requirements.

LocalGov Weekly Round Up image

LocalGov Weekly Round Up

A pivotal week for councils sees fresh devolution plans, new service pilots and key legal and political battles, writes LocalGov editor William Eichler.
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