Purpose

To consider a change to Breckland
Council’s approach to the custom and self-build register
including charging for elements that are not currently charged for
as well as other amendments.

Decision

RESOLVED that:
 
1)    
The Council’s Custom/Self-Build (CSB) approach be updated.
This involves establishing a newly created, stand-alone, Breckland
CSB Register and, in doing so, introduce locally set eligibility
criteria and a fee
 
2)    
Delegated Authority is given to the Deputy Chief Executive, in
consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, to
implement the updated approach, keep it under review, and make any
necessary changes as required.
 

Reasons for the decision

A statutory duty rests with the Council to
establish and maintain a CSB Register. This Duty has, until
recently, been met by virtue of a shared arrangement with other
Norfolk Councils. However, recent change within the existing
arrangement has coincided with amended legislation and an
assessment of the Council’s approach. This provides the
Council with an opportunity to review and refresh the current
approach in accordance with national guidance.
 
Planning policy guidance is clear that, whilst
it is not a requirement, there are significant benefits to
Registers being refreshed and relaunched by councils, since they
have now been in effect for some years.
 
As part of refreshing and relaunching our
stand-alone CSB Register, the Council should consider the
introduction of locally set eligibility criteria as well as the
introduction of a fee.
 
The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act
2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) enables
relevant authorities to include up to two optional local
eligibility tests: (i) a local connection test; and (ii) a
financial solvency test. The guidance upon this matter states an
expectation that relevant authorities will apply one or both of
these tests only where a strong justification exists for doing
so.
 
Authorities are also advised to ensure that
they provide clear information to individuals and groups on the
rationale underpinning local eligibility tests and to consult upon
proposals before introducing any eligibility test.
 
Guidance on the matter also suggests that the
approach should be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains
appropriate and that it is still achieving the desired effect.
 
See Cabinet report for further details.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – To agree the proposed
recommendations in adopting a new CSB approach.
 
Option 2 - To pursue an
alternative/amended approach.
 
Option 3 - Do nothing.