brentwood.gov.uk

To make the Local Plan sound and legally compliant, the necessary changes are to :

1) Require that a minimum of 5% self-build homes which can include custom housebuilding on "developments of 60 or more (net) dwellings".

Given the expected demand for self‐build (as referenced in point #67 of the 2011 Housing Strategy for England), I would propose that the minimum 5% self‐build should also apply to developments of 60 or more dwellings.

2) "The inclusion of self-build and custom build homes and Specialist Residential Accommodation on smaller sites will also be encouraged".

For this last sentence, provide stronger wording other than "encouraged".

For example, including wording received in personal communication from the housing minister (attached), as presented below:

"encouraged, with the number of self‐build plots allocated per site proportional to the local demand for self‐build within Brentwood as noted on the local self‐build register"

Suggest to also reference "The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015".

As referenced by Brandon Lewis MP in communication to Rt Hon Sir Eric Pickles MP (attached), the
number of self‐build plots allocated per site should be proportional to the local demand for self‐build within Brentwood as noted on the local self‐build register.

A minimum of 5% self-build on development sites of 500 (N=3 sites in LDP) does not meet the demand for self-build in the local area.

Note that the original Local Plan had 5% self-build on sites with more than 100 dwellings. Despite previous representations, the focus on self-build has been diluted in the latest LDP.