Wokingham Borough Council’s first self-build housing project has been given the green light by the council’s decision-making executive. The project will see 21 self-build plots of land at Wheatsheaf Close made available to borough residents.
Eight of the plots will be sold to self-builders on the open market to help offset the cost of the remaining 13 plots, which will be available to self-builders on a shared ownership basis to help residents get onto the housing ladder.
The council will retain the freehold to all of the shared ownership units. All the plots will be prioritised for applicants on the council’s self-build register who meet the local connection criteria.
Feasibility work suggests thatfour two-bed houses, 12 three-bed houses, four four-bed houses and one five-bed house would work on the site. But this may change as the project develops.
The next step is to appoint a project manager to facilitate this community-led scheme, bringing together local residents and self-builders to develop plans for the site in conjunction with the borough council and its development company Wokingham Housing.
“This is a great opportunity for residents across the Borough who’re interested in building their own home to have a chance to do it," said executive member for health and wellbeing, adult social care and housing, Cllr Parry Batth.
“We’re particularly excited about the 13 plots that will be available under a shared ownership scheme, as this will allow our residents who wouldn't be able to afford to build their own home without some financial help the opportunity to do so. This is designed to help those first time buyers looking to get on the housing ladder.
“If you have any interest in building your own home, get on our self-build register now to be notified about how to apply for one of these self-build plots.”
It is anticipated that an outline planning application, including a clear design guide to ensure consistent and high quality design is achieved across the development, will be submitted next year.
For more information about self-build and its register, visit the council’s website and search ‘self-build’.
