A proposed self build plot designated for 47 homes has been revoked for custom build plots instead due to “substantial social and economic shifts”, the developer claims.
The site in Shrewsbury, which is owned by the local council, was meant to provide land for “sensitively designed housing” and “sustainable homes” but now developers for the council have withdrawn this offer.
The decision change the self build plot shows a growing nationwide trend of self building sites becoming harder and harder to come across in the UK.
What was the site originally for?
The London Road site in Shrewsbury was initially advertised as a plot for 47 homes, 37 of which would be for self build plots and 10 affordable housing plots.
The developer for the 4.41ha site, Cornovii Developments Ltd, said the main aim of releasing the land for sale is “to provide serviced plots to residents to build their own homes” as well as to “promote sustainable design”.
Why were the self build plots sold off?
However, a recent announcement by Cornovii Developments Ltd said the land would no longer be made available for self builders.
A spokesperson for the developers, which are owned by the council, said: “Having reviewed the newly emerging position of the housing markets and through consultation with national self-build organisations and experts, a decision was made to change the offer on the London Road site to offer 32 custom build plots.”
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Custom building differs from self building as it involves a developer who manages the construction and design of buildings whereas self builds offer complete control to the homeowner to build and customise the home to their own needs.
Cornovii Developments said the decision is possible “under the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015,” which they said “does not provide a distinction between self-build and custom-build, where the criteria specified within the act is met”.
They claimed since planning permission was first granted for the London Road development there have been “substantial social and economic shifts across the UK,” which have affected the construction industry and the housing market and made them alter their decision.
They claim they are still maintaining their pledge to build “quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly homes” by offering the plots as custom build sites.
Further example of self build plots being taken away
The second phase of the Graven Hill project is proposing to build more affordable housing, potentially taking away self build plots away from the site(Image credit: Google Earth)
The decision to remove self building plots is becoming a familiar theme with similar decisions being taken elsewhere, as seen in Graven Hill.
Developers at Graven Hill, the largest self build site in the UK, recently announced the second stage of their plans to build more affordable housing and apartment buildings on the site, whilst reducing self build plots.
This could be signalling the UK is moving further away from supporting self building and making it harder for those looking to create their own homes.
