A shortage of affordable housing is increasingly identified as a key factor holding back economic growth in the UK.  Sustainable city and regional growth will depend on the success of strategies to help people live and work locally, building cohesive communities and contributing to their local economy. 

At a time when council and housing association properties continue to have long waiting lists, institutional providers of quality, affordable, private-rented properties remain scarce, and property prices are unaffordable for many, new solutions are needed.

A number of local authorities will soon be receiving funding from the Government's Right to Build Vanguard scheme to help them pilot custom build (including self-build) schemes with the aim of bringing forward up to 10,000 plots for sale under the new Right to Build.