Object

Representation ID: 22792

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Strutt & Parker LLP

The requirement for self/custom-build within Policy 5 – Homes of the Draft Strategy requires 5% of plots on residential proposals of over 40 dwellings to be serviced self/custom build plots unless a lack of a need can be demonstrated or plots have been marketed for 12 months and not sold. This approach is considered to represent too high a proportion and if implemented would deliver significantly more plots than there is currently demand for. Currently there are 113 people on the self and custom build register in the Greater Norwich Area (2018/119). This is not a significant number of plots to identify and if some of the Reasonable Alternative sites were reviewed, a range of smaller dedicated self and custom build sites could potentially be allocated across the Plan area. These sites could also contribute to site allocations of less than 1 ha which would equate to approximately six sites, to meet the demand on the current register.

Furthermore, self/custom-build units are considered slower to deliver on larger sites when they are expected to be brought forward alongside main stream construction. If specific sites were allocated, construction activities could be managed phased without conflicting with mainstream construction which would demonstrably deliver new homes at a much faster rate than can be achieved through the self and custom build route. As such, it would be our recommendation that the requirement for such plots should be based on a locally identified need or demand rather than blanket approach of 5% across the Plan area with the identification of specific self and custom build site allocations.