NaCSBA to Educate Councils & More News

by Andrew Hobbs
21st February 2017

NaCSBA task force to educate councils

This spring, the National Custom & Self Build Association’s (NaCSBA) task force is expected to launch a new initiative to guide councils across the country on how to properly implement the government’s Right to Build legislation.

All local authorities must now keep a register of people or groups looking for plots for self or custom build – and permission enough sites to meet demand. Hopefully, with NaCSBA’s help, more land can be released for the construction of bespoke self and custom build homes.

70%

…of contractors in the UK have noticed an increase in the cost of materials as a result of the depreciation of the pound following the EU referendum, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

“This means homeowners could start to see the cost of their projects increase,” says Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at the FMB. “Consumer choice may also be reduced, with some people facing compromise on aspects of their schemes as materials have become too expensive.”

Support continues for RHI scheme

The government’s Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS) recently revealed its response to the consultation on the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) cashback programme.

Support for solar thermal technology has been extended at the rate of 19.74p per kWh. Tariffs for biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps have been increased to 6.44p per kWh (from 4.68p), 10.02p per kWh (from 7.51p) and 19.55p per kWh (from 19.33p) respectively.

Garden villages are given the green light

Ministers have backed plans for the development of 14 new garden villages in various locations across England. Each of the settlements will provide between 1,500 and 10,000 dwellings. “Locally led garden towns and villages have enormous potential to deliver the homes that communities need,” says housing minister Gavin Barwell.

The new developments are not designed to be extensions to existing towns, but distinct new destinations with their own community facilities. The government has allocated £6m of funding to the scheme. One of the sites that has already been approved is in West Carclaze, near St Austell in Cornwall. As well as housing its own solar farm and primary school, a selection of plots has been earmarked for self and custom build projects.

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