Unlocking small sites will be key to helping custom build revolution

The Government must back proposals to help the custom and self build sector, as part of moves to diversity the housing market, said the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), in response to the publication of the Bacon Review.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “I congratulate Richard Bacon on his review of Custom and Self Build, and urge the Government to act on his recommendations if we are to diversify the housing market and meet our housing targets. We must reverse the decline in SME house builders, who deliver great homes, of high quality, in the places people want to live.”

Berry concluded: “56% of FMB house builder members build only as contractors, and the majority build to the designs and specifications of a consumer. The biggest constraint they face is access to viable small sites on which to build. So I welcome the review’s focus on the supply of land, and hope the Government will recognise the support that local authorities need to help more SMEs to build.”