Last year I commented on a draft of our new Local Plan, specifically on the self-build requirements (and lack thereof in the plan ). There's a new draft out for review now, which again makes no provision to provide self-build plots, merely offering 'support' for third-party proposals. Does anybody keep up to date with this kind of thing? Is this allowable, or can they be persuaded to actively seek to provide plots? FWIW, as of two-and-a-half years ago they had 164 people registered on their register as wanting a plot. I don't think they are meeting the NPPF: "NPPF para. 61 states that LPAs should plan for the needs of those wishing to build their own homes."

What does the team think? And ideally can provide a solid reference for?

I was on the housing committee of our parish council when they were drawing up the Neighbourhood Plan. As commented above, there was very little provision for self-builds.

However, one of the points I wanted mentioned in the Neighbourhood Plan was some provision for 'modern' designs, rather than the strong bias towards rejection because it did not adhere to the traditional / historic style. Of course, this did not happen and the wording is in favour of the traditional.

I does interest me that in 50 or (100) years time, what will people (assuming that Covid has not wiped out the population!) think of 21st century domestic architecture; the predominant style is developer estate boxes that are all built to a cost saving formula.

Gerrybuilt hovels; houses of the prosperous; or institutional buildings: I'm not sure which of these descriptions fit the countless rows of "back to backs" that still populate many of our old industrial landscapes. I do agree however that much of late 20C stuff is destined for the bin.

On Rex's architectural comment I think much of the adherence to the traditional, is public pressure driven, as well as a lack of contemporary or innovative design sense from both house buyers, and planners alike.
I've recently watched the total, and I suspect, very expensive refurbishment of an uninspiring, quite boring, "design wise" unlisted Victorian red brick detached house. Not a huge volume interior, so I guess no IWI, still keeping the brick exterior, so no EWI, but Ah!, what lovely facsimiles of sliding sash windows, at best slim 2G. There's a new roof, a replica of the old, except now with an addition of gable parapet walls just to accentuate the pastiche effect. A wonderful opportunity missed, there is no hope.
Is the equity is better tied up in such buildings, I don't know.

fostertom alluded to 'gerrybuilt' dwellings.

I feel I should point out that they are actually built by Jerry. There's nothing wrong with Gerry's building skills.

There's an excellent article at:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/jerry-built-vs-jury-rigged-vs-jerry-rigged-usage-history

I'm revisiting this - there's now a deadline of 24 Dec for another set of comments on the revised draft they've now produced.

I've been trying to get the council to tell me what they've actually been doing, other than setting up a register. But I haven't had much success - my local councillor (a Green) passed me to one of his mates who is more involved (also a Green) but said colleague seems to be of the obstructionist persuasion so I'm trying to think what else I can do.

One thought I had was to write to the planning department and ask them what information they have published on the subject. It's my understanding that by now they should have begun issuing planning permissions on allocated self or custom build sites to matche the number of people on their register three years ago. But do they have to publish that information?

If anybody knows anything relevant, I'd love to know it.

There seem to be many self-build sites keen to help potential self-builders but I haven't found anything useful so far.

Posted By: djhOne thought I had was to write to the planning department and ask them what information they have published on the subject.

Make it an FOI request.

But be really careful how you word it. The number of requests I used to see that had the "Oh that really is not the right question" response in my head. They will answer precisely what you ask. A bit Alice in Wonderland.

Posted By: Mike1BTW, have you come across https://righttobuildtoolkit.org.uk/briefing-notes/examples-of-how-councils-use-the-planning-system-to-encourage-opportunities/

No I hadn't seen that, thanks. It's nice to see some councils are making an effort but I'm not too surprised that Suffolk doesn't appear on the page!