Shropshire Council scoops first prize at 2018 Build It Awards

Shropshire Council has been named ‘Best Council for Custom and Self Builders’ at the prestigious 2018 Build It Awards.

The council, which was put forward for the award by a third party, beat off stiff competition from four other councils to win the prize for its work to encourage and support people wishing to build their own homes within the county.

L-to-r: Mario Wolf, Task Force Director from NaCSBA; Andria Cox, Shropshire Council’s planning policy and self-build; Adrian Cooper, Shropshire Council’s planning policy and strategy manager; Miles Jupp, Awards host/comedian.

The council was specifically recognised for setting a high bar for rural councils to enable custom and self-build housing, proactively publishing statistics from its Self-Build and Custom-Build Register online and maintaining a small list of available plots on its website (including some multi-plot developments).

The Build It Awards is an annual event that celebrates 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.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and housing development, said:

“I am delighted that we have been recognised for the work we are doing to encourage and support people to build their own homes. And, it’s even better that someone else nominated us.

“Creating homes in which people want to live, within the area they want to live in, is extremely important to us, and self-builds and custom-builds play a key part in this. It’s a dream for many and we’re pleased to be leading the way.”

The council is actively engaged in seeking to develop and deliver self-build plots at London Road in Shrewsbury. This will provide 47 serviced plots.

Build It Awards 2018

Representatives from the council’s housing enabling team  and the estates team, whose hard work is recognised by this nomination, attended a reception to pick up the award at the Hilton, London Bankside on Friday 9 November 2018.