RIBA urges policymakers to act on Bacon Report

RIBA president Alan Jones has welcomed the Bacon Report into self-building and urged policymakers to “drive it forward”.

The report, commissioned by Boris Johnson, listed a string of recommendations including the creation of a Custom and Self-Build Housing Delivery Unit at Homes England, a self-build housing show park and reigniting the Community Housing Fund.

It was written by Tory MP Richard Bacon and welcomed by housing secretary Robert Jenrick who promised to “consider it fully and respond to the recommendations in due course”.

In it Bacon argued that removing barriers to custom and self-build would head off a potential political revolution by a disenfranchised population priced out of any hope of getting on the housing ladder.

Jones, whose term in office ends next week, said: “By supporting more people to design and construct their own home, we will not only boost supply, but grow the proportion of bespoke homes that support higher levels of wellbeing and contribute more positively to local areas.

“In addition to raising awareness of the Right to Build, and using planning reforms to support the delivery of custom and self-build homes, I strongly welcome the recommendation to use this delivery mechanism to accelerate net zero ambitions.

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“I also have high hopes for the £150m Help to Build scheme, which should allow self and custom home building to become a realistic option.

“All recommendations clearly align with the government’s levelling-up agenda and Building Beautiful plans – I urge policymakers to drive them forward.”