Best Council Award for Self or Custom Build

In winning the award, they beat off stiff competition from Plymouth, Glasgow and Cherwell councils.

Chris Bates, Editor of Build It and Chair of the awards, said that newcomers to the competition, the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, were worthy winners.  He added: "This local authority has won the award as they have worked closely with the National Custom and Self Build Association to bring forward the borough council’s first custom build housing site.  They have also actively promoted the benefits of ‘Self Build’ in their area so that all local residents are aware of the opportunity."

Mario Wolf of National Custom and Self Build Association collected the award on behalf of the borough council and has presented it to Cllr Richard Blunt, the borough council's cabinet member for Develoment.

Cllr Blunt said: "Custom and self build as a route to match homeowners with a home that matched their requirements is gathering momentum.  A 25-plot scheme in Upwell has already successfully been delivered and a second 12-plot development has now been granted planning permission in Ingoldisthorpe.  We have been working with NaCSBA and have identified a council-owned site where we hope to work with a custom build enabler to provide 10 to 20 self-build plots.

"We have promoted the opportunities for self and custom build through a series of events, articles and online content.  We have been very pleased with the level of interest we have received in the opportunities available and currently have around 170 people signed up to our self build register.  We hope that what we have achieved so far is just the start of our self-build journey.

"Whilst unexpected, we are truly delighted to win this award.  It recognised the enthusiasm of elected members and officers in embracing the custom and self build agenda and opening up opportunities for both landowners and potential homeowners."

The Build It Awards celebrate all aspects of self build and renovation, including completed projects, services and suppliers. The awards bring together architects, manufacturers and key industry figures in recognition of innovation and excellence in the custom and self build home sector. The Best Council for Self or Custom Build Award goes to the local authority that has done the most to facilitate self and/or custom building in the UK.

For more information landowners should look at the righttobuildtoolkit.org.uk from the National Custom and Self Build Association.  Potential Self Builders can register by visiting west-norfolk.gov.uk and search 'self build'.