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FROM THE EDITOR...


As touched upon in our last issue, gaining planning permission and dealing with local authorities has been a major sticking point for self-builders for some time. A quick Google News search of the term ‘self-build’ returns a slightly depressing catalogue of local news stories about planning refusals for both self- and custom-build applications.


However, the Government’s ongoing commitment to build more – and the reforms it promises to help facilitate that – means the sector is hopeful the tide could be turning.


At the end of May the Government revealed plans to support SME builders to help “get Britain building”. It acknowledged that a planning system that sees a site of 10 or less homes having to go through the same process as a site of over  hoes is  aed and oised to stealine the syste t also said it ill ease Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for SMEs.


With much of the UK’s self- and custom-build housing built by SME builders, this is welcome news for the sector. The proposed changes have been praised by the National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA), who has been fi ghting o yeas o an ovehaul o the lanning syste that cuently oks against small projects.


A turbulent planning process was sadly the reality for Lily and Rob Wood’s oect in south est ondon hee changing lanning ofi ces oving goalposts and various other requests meant gaining approval took almost two yeas ut desite the ainul stat thei fi nished aily hoe as oth all the hardship. You can read more about the project in Carol Burns’ case study on page 34.


Elsewhere in London, Al and Lily Chen overcame potential planning issues when their architect submitted a joint application with a neighbouring property for matching single storey extensions clad in London-stock brick. It meant both looked original and in-keeping with one another, as Alexandra Pratt explains in her case study on page 14.


ROSEANNE FIELD JULY/AUGUST 2025 Worth the wait


Lily and Rob Wood persevered through a lengthy planning process to achieve their dream home


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sel thefbuilder DESIGN. RENOVATE. REVIVE. Update your registration here: SB_0708_2025 Covers.indd 1 17/07/2025 09:49 A perfect fi t


Adam Brown explains why customisable freestanding furniture is worth considering for your project


A new lease of life


ON THE COVER... © PHIL COFFEY (PAGE 34)


What was intended to be a simple extension turned into a complete renovation project for Lettie and Tom Fardon


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