Hannah Blythyn deputy minister for housing and local government in Wales, talks to us about the pioneering new self build scheme that will be opening in Wales later this year

What does this new scheme entail?

We are due to launch a new initiative in just a few months with the aim of making self build an option for more people in Wales. This project is innovative because it seeks to address the key barriers that people face, like fi nding a site, gaining planning permission and fi nancing.

Councils will make plots available to purchase, with funding for construction and the land itself provided by the Development Bank of Wales. We’re releasing £40m as an initial investment and are going to be working with local authorities to fi nd land. When we have identifi ed appropriate sites, we will prepare them so they are ready to build on, with planning permission in place for a property you can choose from a selection of pre-approved designs. Applicants will not be able to rent or sell the fi nished home for a minimum of fi ve years from the completion date and it must be their only residence. Initial conversations with councils suggest that they’re really keen to be involved. We all want to open up this market further and make the dream of self building a reality for more people in Wales.