Self-Build & Custom Housebuilding under S106 – Made Easy
Comply with your planning obligations with optimised efficiency and development returns
Local authorities are increasingly adopting “Percentage Policies” under S106 agreements to secure more custom home opportunities. This approach reserves a portion of new developments for Self Build & Custom Housebuilding (SBCH), empowering homebuyers to have a primary say in the design and layout of their homes.
of SBCH planning permissions are already secured through S106 on large sites, and expected to climb to 75% by 2026.
Challenges Facing Housebuilders.
Introducing Blank Canvas.
Blank Canvas bridges the gap between self-build and new build, allowing homebuyers to have input into the design of their home while benefiting from expert-backed services.
What types of projects are Blank Canvas suited to?
Blank Canvas Process for Housebuilders.
1. Data-Driven Layout Design
Leveraging insights from the Right to Build Register, we conduct targeted surveys and engage directly with homebuyers who have registered their demand for SBCH in the area – providing a critical pathway to achieve statutory compliance. Our architects then translate these market insights into multiple layout proposals for your base house model. These designs are tailored to local preferences—whether that means open-plan living, dedicated home offices, or versatile entertaining spaces—and by working within existing structural walls, we keep construction alterations minimal and costs efficient.
2. Selling via the Blank Canvas Portal
Once layouts are finalised, we market the homes on our website, as well as other traditional marketing routes. Homebuyers can view available plots, customise their homes to suit and finalise their reservation – quickly and online!
3. Orders That Kickstart Construction
Every reservation is packaged into an order form for Blank Canvas delivery, providing housebuilders with all the details required to exchange contracts and begin building.
Ensure compliance under Section 106.
Blank Canvas enables housebuilders to seamlessly comply with their Self Build & Custom Housebuilding obligations under Section 106, optimising efficiencies at every stage. Most Local Planning Authorities insist evidence is submitted, detailing how self and custom build housing will be offered to homebuyers. Typically, this info is to be contained in a “scheme, strategy or plan” requested as part of the conditions contained in the Section 106 legal agreement. Adopting Blank Canvas enables full compliance as follows:
Does Blank Canvas align with the provisions of the Self-Build & Custom Housebuilding Act 2015?
Does Blank Canvas align with the provisions of the Self-Build & Custom Housebuilding Act 2015?
Yes, Blank Canvas enables homebuyers to customise their new home design, room layout and all fixtures and fittings. It allows for direct homebuyer involvement, creating “sweat equity” opportunities for buyers, thereby ensuring all new homes are tailored to their owners.
Is Blank Canvas priced fairly and transparently?
All pricing is backed by Chartered Surveyors, as well as a panel of mortgage lenders, therefore all parties can be assured that fair market values are being marketed when selling Blank Canvas to homebuyers.
How is Blank Canvas marketed to the Self and Custom Build audience specifically?
Custom Build Homes owns and runs the Right to Build Register. This national database hosts the demand data from more than 190,000 active homebuyers, specifically looking for and self or custom build home. This, matched with industry-leading knowledge and experience, and access to all major property portals, ensures those who wish to self or custom build in the area can engage.
How do you market efficiently to local and regional audiences?
Our Right to Build Register database is sectioned by local authority areas, postcode areas or radii from specific sites. This means we can tailor our marketing campaigns from highly localised to large regions or nearby cities. Many S106 agreements require the marketing efforts to cascade from local to further afield. Only Custom Build Homes can achieve this while also ensuring the self and custom build specific audience is reached.
How do you ensure homebuyers are “qualified persons”?
Some Local Authorities insist on buyers meeting certain qualifying criteria. Our sales team qualifies all potential buyers for affordability, as well as any third-party provisions of the Act that may apply. Typically, this will be determining and evidencing their local connection to the area.
Will there be an estate agent involved?
Yes, Custom Build Homes is a registered Estate Agent and has been actively marketing and selling self and custom build housing projects for over 10-years. With benefits including a 190,000+ consumer database, “Assisted Move” and a Part Exchange offering that enables people to stay in their current home while fitting out their Blank Canvas, Custom Build Homes is uniquely placed to achieve maximum exposure and swift completions.
Is the sales process more complex or restrictive than buying a traditional new home?
No, buying a Blank Canvas is almost the same as buying a new home. Custom Build Homes will support buyers to customise their Blank Canvas to suit. Contracts will be exchanged as usual, before the Blank Canvas is built. When the Blank Canvas is ready to be fitted out, sales completion will occur. Buyers will have up to 6 months to fit out their Blank Canvas and move in.
Can homebuyers use a mortgage to buy a Blank Canvas?
Yes, a Blank Canvas can be bought and completed with as little as a 5% mortgage deposit, subject to buyers’ affordability. We have access to exclusive mortgage products that guarantee the completion of homes, every time!
Does Blank Canvas come with a 10-Year Structural Warranty?
Yes, a Blank Canvas comes with an AA- Rated 10 Year Structural Warranty as standard.
What happens if the marketing period for SBCH expires, and Blank Canvas units remain unsold?
In the event the Marketing Period imposed under S106 expires, housebuilders can simply build homes beyond the Blank Canvas stage and sell them on the open market, subject to the terms of specific S106 agreements.
Homebuyer Demand
for Blank Canvas
Blank Canvas benefits from huge consumer demand, with more than 150,000 applications to the Right to Build Register, owned and operated by Custom Build Homes. This tool offers housebuilders a robust route to market for SBCH, enabling swift successful sales.
Ready to Transform Your Developments?
Schedule a meeting with our team.