Laying the foundations for self-build in the city

Two plots of Council land are up for grabs as Plymouth City Council launches a self-build project to help tackle the housing crisis.

Outline planning applications have been submitted for eight homes on the sites in Whitleigh and Ernesettle. Self-builders could buy the plots and create their own homes.

Cabinet member for Finance, Councillor Mark Lowry, whose portfolio includes housing delivery said: "We really want to encourage self-builders and we're looking at what land we can make available. These two sites are currently vacant and would be ideal. Self-build is an important part of our Plan for Homes, we want people in the city to have more choice of different types of housing and we're giving people the chance to design and build homes to suit their needs.

"With house prices increasing this is a way of people having more control and we are also making the self-build option more affordable by providing land at reasonable prices."

The design and style of the housing would be decided by the individual plot buyers. To ensure the plots are bought by real self-builders rather than developers, restrictions will be imposed to ensure that only one self-build plot can be purchased per person. Once the property is built, the self-builder would have to occupy it themselves for a set term.

Preparatory work is currently being carried out on the pilot project for self-build plots, to test the market and work out the costs as the land would be sold as serviced plots.

The Council is also supporting planned developments in the city that include an element of self-build. Council land was sold at Bickleigh Down for the development of an eco-village with self-build options.

Anyone who is interested in self-build can register with the Council by contacting self-build champion Amy Luxton on 01752 307580 or amy.luxton@plymouth.gov.uk

People interested in finding out more about these opportunities to buy and develop self-build sites in Plymouth can check the planning applications on the city council’s website and search for application number 13/02076/OUT for Maidstone Place, Ernesettle and 13/02077/OUT for Lancaster Gardens, Whitleigh or contact Amy Luxton.