ln a trio of announcements the National Custom and Self Build Association’s (NaCSBA) Task Force has revealed its new director, the second organisation to receive its specialist support and the first expert to join the team.
NaCSBA announced its Right to Build Expert Task Force back in February. It was launched to help local authorities, community groups and other organisations across the UK deliver large, affordable custom and self-build housing projects. The aim is to assist at least 80 organisations over the next three years.
Mario Wolf has taken on the mantel of director, on secondment from his position within the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Wolf is no stranger to NaCSBA, having already led a research and development project for the organisation in 2015 that produced a comprehensive toolkit for custom and self-build housing. He also played an instrumental part in the DCLG’s influence on the Right to Build.
“I’m delighted to be joining the Right to Build Task Force as its founding director. As recognised in the Government’s Housing White Paper, the Task Force can play an important role in supporting the delivery of significantly more affordable custom and self-build homes,” says Mario Wolf.
Following on from its work with Buckinghamshire Advantage, the Task Force is now set to advise East Northamptonshire Council on how custom and self-build housing can be promoted in the area – including the proposed Tresham Garden Village development.
NaCSBA’s expertise will be bolstered by the recent addition of Joanne Ellingham, the first to join the new team. Joanne is a senior consultant within planning practice HTA Design LLP.
Richard Bacon MP, who initiated the Right to Build legislation, is ambassador of the Task Force. “Custom and self-build housing will only become mainstream if local authorities and other organisations truly harness the Right to Build. I’m delighted to see the Task Force taking big steps forward to give advice so soon,” says Bacon.
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