Decision details

Local Connection Eligibility Testing for the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Register

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

It was reported that, in accordance with the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016), the Council must maintain and regularly update a Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Register. The Regulations also allowed the Council to set local eligibility criteria in the form of a Local Connection Test.

 

Due to the various environmental constraints impacting Surrey Heath, availability of land for development was under significant pressure and provided an ongoing challenge for the Borough. It was therefore important to ensure that any land, which was suitable and available, was utilised efficiently. The number of plots that the Council must grant for the purposes of self-build was likely to impact the availability of land for achieving the Council’s objectively assessed development needs. It was, therefore, considered that the application of a Local Connection Test for eligibility to the Council’s Self-Build Register would help to ensure plots were only granted for residents with a strong local connection to Surrey Heath, and that suitable land remained available for other types of residential development in the Borough. 

 

The Executive considered the Local Connection Test, as set out at Appendix 1of the agenda report.  Members were of the opinion that, because of the scarcity of suitable land in the Borough, the qualification for entry to the Register should be residency or employment in the Borough for a period of at least 24 months.

 

It was proposed that a Local Connection Test for entry onto the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Register be released for a 4 week non statutory consultation period.  Following the consultation, the Local Connection Test would be incorporated within the existing Self-Build application.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(i)          the Local Connection Test, as set out at Appendix 1 of the agenda report, be amended to require applicants to the Surrey Heath Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register to have been resident or employed in the Borough for a period of at least 24 months;

 

(ii)        a 4 week non-statutory public consultation be undertaken on the introduction of a Local Connection Test, as set out in Appendix 1, as amended;

 

(iii)      the Local Connection Test be incorporated within the Self-Build application form.

 

 

Report author: Christopher Kirk

Publication date: 21/02/2018

Date of decision: 06/02/2018

Decided at meeting: 06/02/2018 - Executive

Accompanying Documents: