"Although we have these important new powers in England, custom and self-build housing will only become mainstream if Local Authorities and other organisations truly harness these powers."
The Task Force will help Local Authorities, community groups and other organisations across the UK deliver large, affordable custom and self-build housing projects. The Task Force aims to help at least 80 organisations create significantly more affordable homes over the next three years. To help ensure other projects benefit, the lessons learned will be shared through regional events and case studies within the Right to Build Portal.
Richard Bacon MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self Build, Custom and Community Housebuilding and Placemaking, who together with NaCSBA has championed the introduction of the Right to Build, said: "Although we have these important new powers in England, custom and self-build housing will only become mainstream if Local Authorities and other organisations truly harness these powers.
This is where the new Right to Build Task Force comes in, with its experts on hand to help. This may be Councils needing help setting up, or better marketing of their demand registers, or advice in creating planning strategies. Alternatively, it could also include affordable housing providers or community groups who are needing help to engage with Councils. I am confident the Task Force will deliver real change and I am delighted to become its Ambassador."
The Task Force is funded by the Nationwide Foundation, which aims to increase the availability of decent affordable homes for people in housing need.
Michael Holmes, Chair of NaCSBA, said: "We are grateful to the Nationwide Foundation for supporting NaCSBA's goal to ensure that people currently in housing need, who want to build their own decent and affordable home, can exercise their Right to Build. The Task Force will deliver valuable support to Local Authorities, affordable housing providers and community groups delivering effective policies and unlocking real projects.
We know that English Local Authorities have a duty to grant planning permissions for 18,000 serviced plots by 31st October 2019. And this is only the tip of the iceberg with people registering on the new English demand registers on a daily basis. There is also huge untapped potential in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."
