Inner Moray Firth Local Plan

[ProDave]

This may be of interest to people in this area.  Highland Council are updating the local plan for the area and it is currently out discussion and comment.  The gist of what is proposed can be found here as a starting point.  https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kse/event/35403/section/5445428

 

One point of not that stands out in my brief reading is the following with regard to self build:

 

"

Research shows there is strong demand for self build and that there are a number of benefits which can be gained from increasing the supply of plots.  In recent decades, within the Inner Moray Firth, like within many other parts of Scotland, new housing has been largely delivered by "volume" housebuilders.  Whilst this is an important part of the housing market, there is growing recognition that self build in urban areas can play an important role in the supply of new housing.  As it would essentially be a new part of the market in some urban areas, it could complement volume housebuilders in promoting faster sales and quicker build out rates.  It could also provide a much needed boost for smaller sized developers which have declined in number significantly over recent years.  Furthermore, self build can contribute towards placemaking by delivering greater diversity and innovation and enhancing the character of our neighbourhoods.  Evidence shows that as self build is often taken up by older people looking to build a more suitable home it can even be a good way of providing housing for an ageing population. 

 

As one of main barriers to self build has been the lack of available sites, we think that the best way to increase the number opportunities is by introducing a new policy which requires a certain proportion of land to be available for self build within larger housing developments.  We recognise that the detail of such a policy and how it's applied must be subject to consultation with the development industry and all other affected parties.  We also don't want such a policy to undermine the economic viability of sites confirmed through this Plan.  To ensure this, the policy's application will be subject to proof of demand for self build in that part of the Inner Moray Firth.  The forthcoming, statutory register of interest in self build will provide the evidence necessary to apply the policy.  Where registered demand doesn't translate uptake of plots over a defined period then that portion of the site would revert back to general demand housing.

 

Self build may also be appropriate in rural areas especially where suitable sites are not available within nearby settlements.  We will analyse the future statutory register to see where such interest originates and whether both the affordable and market sectors can meet it on allocated sites within settlements or whether a more flexible approach is required for example by broadening the suggested policy approach to include consideration of smaller development sites in rural areas."

 

And the proposed implementation of that would be:

 

"Each developer of a large (50 or more dwellings) planning application will be required to safeguard and adequately service part (a minimum of 10% of the application's total dwelling capacity) of that application site for self build plots.  The exact number, location, size and shape of those plots should take account of the Council's statutory register of self build housing interest - i.e. best match the supply of plots to local, registered demand for those plots."

 

Self build has always been popular in these parts but to have a set figure of new developments allocated to self build is a good step forward, one I feel should be implemented in other places as well.

 

There is also much emphasis on "sustainability" with most new development targeted on settlements with good public transport links and away from settlements only accessible by car, but the new proposed local plan still provisions for individual builds on mainly infill sites in such areas.