Further clarification must be provided regarding self build for more than one property. Surely if someone applies for a self build for four properties (for example), this makes them a developer, unless they can demonstrate they are keeping the properties for family

Taverham Parish Council felt that the document required more focus on environmental issues.

The Weston Longville Parish Council does not object to the principal of increasing the number of self-build sites within the Broadland South Norfolk area, as a means of increasing housing stock at more affordable levels (According to the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), you could save 20–40% in costs to build your home instead of buying one), and maintaining the viability of rural communities which might otherwise see only stagnation.

For the purpose of illustration, the parish of Weston Longville will be used as an example. A map of the parish is attached at the back. Weston Longville Parish covers 1124 hectares and has approximately 140 properties which are split into 53 in the main village, 20 in the area of Morton Lane, 20 in the area of Weston Green, 14 in the area of Rectory Rd and a further 33 spread out across the rest of the parish. The area the main village takes up is approx 5 ha which is less than 0.5% of the total parish area. There is no settlement boundary within the parish. The parish forms part of a village cluster consisting of Great Witchingham, Lenwade, Weston Longville, Attlebridge, Little Witchingham and Morton-on-the-Hill, with Great Witchingham being the service village.
At its closest point, the parish boundary of Weston Longville abutts that of Great Witchingham. At its furthest point the boundary is 4.3 km as the crow flies from Gt Witchingham, with the centre of the village being 2.6 km.
The GNLP Policy 2 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES indicates that the local services available should include schools, health care, shops, recreation/ leisure/community/faith facilities and libraries. For the parish of Weston Longville there is a pub, a village hall with playing field, and a church situated in the main village, and a Buddhist centre on the edge of the parish. The neighbouring service village of Gt Witchingham provides a selection of small shops, a school serving children of the ages 4-11 and a branch doctor’s surgery. For senior schools, libraries, leisure centres and supermarkets it is necessary to travel outside the village cluster.

Since Weston Longville is without a settlement boundary, the Parish Council has largely centred it comments on the section of the SPD which deals with this.

I believe that self build has the potential to increase the vitality of villages which are currently excluded from any development and as consequence the demographic is skewed towards the elderly and the retired.

All the following comments are made on behalf of Norfolk homes Ltd. and are thus all in relation to custom-build (rather than self-build).
One of the stated objectives is to improve rates of housing delivery; it seems to us that the additional layers of complexity, and the inevitable delays to the planning application preparation and determination periods, is only likely to extend the process and thus have the opposite impact on the rate at which housing can be delivered. As will the extended timeframes at the contract/purchase stage.

We wish to raise the following comments regarding the draft consultation. As stated the intention is to 'create diversification, choice and improve rates of housing delivery thus enabling individuals to design the layout of their own home'. I have land registered for self-build with South Norfolk District Council. Plans were submitted in 2021 for a single storey dwelling, the design of which took into consideration the surrounding environment, use of sustainable materials and eco-renewable energy resources applied. The plot of land in question and subsequent single dwelling would have no impact on the neighbouring infrastructure and there is no scope to exceed the number of dwellings to more than one.

In July 2021 I received an email from South Norfolk Council stating that they 'would not support the application and I could withdraw or place on hold'. Since this time numerous small/single housing developments in the close surrounding area have gained approval. With this document in consultation the process for an individual such as myself who wishes to build a single dwelling on land previously owned by my parents needs to be simplified. I would strongly suggest a guidance booklet which clearly outlines the whole process to obtaining planning permission for self-build and custom build. Included in the guide contact details of those within Broadland and South Norfolk Council responsible for handling the process, where to seek help relating to for example obtaining technical support, what is permitted and where to obtain guidance on what is acceptable in terms of sustainability, design and legal requirements.