Written evidence from National Plot Owners
Association (in formation) (ARSS 03)
Inquiry into the abolition of regional spatial strategies
We are part of hundreds of registered land owners
who have bought plots (between 0.015 to 0.02 acres) split from
a bigger plots (between 1.5 and 3 acres) which currently are not
economically active and are located in rural areas near existing
villages.
We have the legitimate expectation to build a home
once the issues of planning permission are sorted out.
Our interest is that the government considers us
as a part of the solution to reactivate the national economy and
to meet the housing targets encouraging local governments to allocate
the land for residential development.
We are aware that we could contribute to reach the
national target of reduction of CO2 emissions applying the concept
of Eco-homes planned and implemented in several places in England
for instance in Blackpool.
We are aware that the concept of Common Hold introduced
by part one of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, which
is a new form of land ownership of registered freehold land and
has not had application, could facilitate the designing of nucleus
of homes in the plots such as those we owned.
Also, we are aware that the scheme promoted by the
National Self Build Association (NaSBA) that we could follow,
is a key contribution from the private sector to any government
wishing to reactivate the economy and to provide homes for people
who already own a plot of land, like us.
Recently the Conservative Planning "Green Paper"
No.14, recognises that: "…One of the best examples of
individuals taking responsibility for housing is in self-build.
Self-building can mean people literally building their own homes
or hiring a contractor to build it for them once they have the
land and the planning permission. It also often refers to groups
of people coming together to pool their skills and build a number
of houses collectively, neighbours literally building their community.
Successful projects also can involve unemployed and unskilled
people, young and old, who would otherwise struggle to find employment
and housing.
Self-built homes rely on being affordable and because
they are the ultimate representation of having a stake in a home
and a community, they are usually more environmentally friendly
and built to higher design and quality standards.12As part of
our progressive Conservative vision for housing, self-built homes—like
Local Housing Trusts - are a perfect embodiment of individuals
and families taking responsibility where, under this Government,
the State has sucked power out of communities. Giving more power
back to local people and self-builders can increase the creation
of successful communities and the revitalisation of existing areas
across the country."
Finally, we reiterate the interest to be part of
the solution and to build homes starting from the scratch with
the support of the government encouraging local governments to
take us into account in allocating land for residential development
as well as big developer firms, establishing a mortgage scheme
which enables plot owners to get loan to build their homes and
allowing people to make choices. In this regard we could contribute
to reduce the deficit of affordable homes and to generate jobs
due to the participation in the cake of construction of small
firms or independent engineers, architects and other technicians
and builders, who could support us in the construction of our
homes.
For instance, before Ashford Borough Council there
is a proposal (CHAR20) under consideration for its DPD in which
67 homes could be build, also, Aylesbury Vale District Council
has already started the process to establish the Local Development
Framework covering the period until 2026 which could be a good
beginning considering to allocate rural land for 60 homes in Buckingham
town as it will be requested.
The abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategies
and the limit of number of houses open more possibilities to plot
owners.
August 2010
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