'Build your own' solution for Shropshire homes waiting list

Thousands of people on waiting lists for a home in Shropshire have been offered the chance to build their own.

Figures released last month showed that thousands of people are queuing for a chance to get on the housing ladder. Officials say they are struggling to meet their target of building more than 1,000 homes in the county every year to cope with demand – but have now come up with an idea to spur mini-developments.

The "Build Your Own Affordable Home" information pack is available from the Shropshire Council's website and tells people how they can create their own house.

The document, which covers the application process, planning guidance, suitability guidelines and pricing, says the authority would make an exception to normal planning policies because there was a "pressing need" in Shropshire to help provide local people with affordable housing.

Councillor Mal Price, cabinet member for housing, said: "Shropshire Council's single plot build your own scheme is a very popular and useful policy initiative in response to the increasing demands for local needs affordable housing, particularly in the rural areas, and the effects that has on sustaining local communities.

"While there is a very strict criteria to adhere to in order to qualify for this scheme, the scheme is specifically designed to allow someone in housing need with a local connection to an area to develop a home.

"This policy is particularly relevant in rural and deeply rural areas where income levels are low and the opportunity to access suitable housing is restricted by a diminishing supply and financially restrictive housing market. These single plots can be developed outside of normal planning boundaries as an 'exception' and must always remain affordable."

Shropshire-based Ross Stokes, of Self Build Magazine, today welcomed the information pack.

He said: "The idea that more people could build their own homes is certainly a good idea. At the moment the high cost of land has meant it's become less affordable for the average person to do this but putting a reserve on its re-sale means that it remains affordable."

By Russell Roberts