Quiet planning reform potentially paves the way for self-builders to commence construction projects.
The UK Government has proposed a new planning category, the "medium-site" category, for self-builders in England. This move aims to cut red tape and make it easier for small-scale housing projects, including self-builds, to get planning permission [1].
This new category could rebalance the system and is being welcomed by Propertymark, who are calling for a streamlined planning process and appropriate use of the Building Safety Levy [2]. The government's working paper states that it wants to make it easier and quicker to deliver small and medium-scale housing developments [3].
The medium-site category applies to developments between 10 and 49 homes, and the government is proposing lighter requirements and shorter approval times for this category [3]. This could make self-building and custom-building more viable and quicker to deliver, as they are often stuck between the "minor" and "major" categories [1].
Potential benefits of this new category include more efficient planning and reduced delays, as the medium-site category could simplify approval processes compared to large-scale developments [3]. It could also offer better balance between individual self-build freedoms and structured development frameworks, offering some design flexibility with guidelines similar to those in custom build or serviced plot scenarios [1].
However, challenges might involve possible limitations on design freedom and materials, depending on the level of planning permission and design codes imposed for medium-sized sites [1]. Ensuring clarity on how "medium-site" planning fits into wider housing policy and development management frameworks is also crucial [2].
For the new threshold to be effective, it will need to be backed by funding, staffing, and strong local implementation to hit the UK's ambitious housing goals. SME developers, who train 73% of construction apprentices, including trades that support one-off builds, could greatly benefit from this new category [4].
In conclusion, the medium-site planning category aims to bridge the gap between small-scale self-build plots and large developments, offering a compromise between flexibility and efficiency. Careful implementation will be key to maximizing benefits and minimizing restrictions for self-builders.
References:
- Propertymark
- Government's working paper
- Home Builders Federation
- Construction News
- The new medium-site category, proposed by the UK Government, aims to guide self-builders in England towards a streamlined planning process and deliver small and medium-scale housing projects more efficiently.
- This category, ranging from 10 to 49 homes, offers an opportunity to build homes, with lighter requirements and shorter approval times compared to major developments.
- The reduced delays and simplified approval processes for the medium-site category could provide the potential for quicker custom-building and self-building.
- However, ensuring appropriate design flexibility, while maintaining balance with structured development frameworks, is crucial to reap the benefits of this new category without compromising on individual self-build freedoms.
- To make the medium-site planning category an effective threshold, it is necessary to invest in funding, staffing, and strong local implementation to align with the UK's housing goals.
- The success of this new category could positively impact real-estate by offering a compromise between flexibility and efficiency, thereby attracting SME developers who can contribute to the construction industry's growth and development.
