Policy HOU6 – Self and Custom Built Development Whilst we support the need for self and custom built homes, there is no evidence included in ABC's evidence base to set out how the threshold of 5% was reached. It is considered that with ABC setting such arbitrary figures, it could delay sites coming forward together with making developments unviable.

Policy HOU6 – Self and Custom Build Development Policy Analysis and Conclusions on Soundness 7.9.1 Whilst recognising the need, and government emphasis on the delivery of self and custom build housing, GDL are concerned that there is a lack of evidence for demand for such properties to justify the levels proposed within the policy as written. The supporting text for the policy acknowledged this issue, in paragraph 5.71 it states. "The establishment of a Right to Build Register and evidence

Please see attached letter 8 Other material considerations 8.1 We are concerned about the implications of the proposed introduction of policy HOU6 - Self and Custom Built Development and the requirement that 5% of dwellings on sites of 20 (+) dwellings in the rural areas encompass plots for sale to self or custom builders. Whilst the responsibility for keeping a self-build and custom housebuilding register falls to "relevant au-thorities" as set out in section 1 of the Self-build and Custom Ho

It is unclear from the wording of the first paragraph as to whether the strategic allocations at Ashford are required to provide self and custom build development opportunities. Presently the policy refers to "requiring all urban area sites [to deliver] more than 40 dwellings to supply no less than 5% of dwelling plots for sale to self or custom builders". In the first instance the strategic allocations do not constitute "urban area sites" and are designated as Ashford Hinterland. However, in t

CUSTOM BUILD (POLICY HOU6) 5.5. Policy HOU6 requires that: In the rural areas sites delivering more than 20 dwellings must supply no less than 5% of dwelling plots for sale to self or custom builder. 5.6. The policy includes three criteria that must be met, clause included is that: a. Where t his equates to more than 5 custom build dwellings on a single site a Design Brief should be submitted and agreed with the Council prior to the application being submitted; b. Where plots have been mark

The reliance on windfall sites, both for housing and gipsy pitches, places the rural parts of the Borough under serious threat. Since this Council is seen not to have a 5 year supply, and since the NPPF favours sustainable development, particularly where the 5 year supply is lacking, the temptation will be to allow development which may gradually destroy the rural areas - HOU 3, HOU 4 and HOU 5.

It is very difficult to obtain a mortgage for self-build. The banking industry needs to better understand the benefits as well as the risks

HOU6 Self Build p178 This Policy is supported as it is in accordance with government policy that there should be opportunity for self-build and custom build housing within large sites. Considered Sound

Part C of the policy is unsound because it is unjustified. The HBF supports the promotion of self and custom-build opportunities, including much of the wording of this policy. However Part C of the policy which requires that "development proposals must be of high quality and demonstrate a positive response to sustainable development" is unjustified and unclear. It is unclear why self-build projects must demonstrate higher levels of design and sustainable construction than other residential prop

Policy HOU6 puts the burden of providing self building sites on the larger allocated sites and on windfall development. The provision of self build housing land may not sit well with the form and timescale of development on larger housing sites. In order to ensure that sufficient land is available to meet the need for such development land and to provide appropriate land of a scale and form that meets local needs and aspirations it is considered that small sites of 4-10 dwellings should be ident