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sel thefbuilder DESIGN. RENOVATE. REVIVE. Update your registration here: SB_0506_2025 Covers.indd 1 22/05/2025 09:56 Making a splash


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A risky move


ON THE COVER... © FRENCH & TYE (PAGE 38)


Robert and Isla took a big gamble when they bought a rural cottage that was too small for their growing family


FROM THE EDITOR...


Ask self-builders to highlight some of the more tumultuous times of their project and many will undoubtedly reference their experience gaining planning permission. It’s something we’ve seen come up in our case studies time and time again, and is often more widely criticised as one of the biggest obstacles preventing the self-build market from reaching its full potential in the UK.


In its annual Custom & Self Build Market report, the National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) has highlighted the problems facing would-be self-builders and where it would like to see Labour take some positive action, with planning unsurprisingly proving to be a real sticking point.


In particular, the report refers to issues with local authorities, and the fact the Government isn’t doing enough to fi x the failures within the system. There are some alarming stats included, such as the fact that following an initial refusal, large sites are fi ve times more likely to gain approval on appeal. It also found that Right to Build legislation is only given weight in approximately a quarter of situations. Right to Build came into force in 2016 and means local authorities are obliged to keep a register of those interested in building their own home, and ensure there is adequate land provision for it.


Despite the problems with planning, it’s not all doom and gloom. NaCSBA also shared some positive developments, namely that it has helped secure changes to improve Right to Build legislation and exemptions for most self-builds from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. You can read more about the association’s report and fi nd out how to obtain your copy on page .


It also wouldn’t be fair to tar all local authorities with the same brush. What might have seemed an almost impossible task for Glen and Jane – as revealed in one of our self-builder case studies on page 44 – gaining approval for a detached annexe in the garden of their Grade II listed home was surprisingly pain-free. With the help of their architect, the couple and their local council proved that clear communication and cooperation means the planning process doesn’t have to be an arduous task.


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