Highlight Housing has entered a strategic partnership with Custom Build Homes (CBH) to drive the growth of self build and custom housebuilding (SBCH) across larger sites in England. Recognising the unique opportunity to help scale the delivery of SBCH nationally, Highlight will support CBH to promote its new compliant, scalable, and practical solution that enables housebuilders to effectively integrate SBCH within their wider developments.
SBCH obligations have become increasingly embedded within Section 106 Agreements, often obligating
housebuilders to ringfence 5-10% of their site’s total units for SBCH, akin to Affordable Housing requirements. Most housebuilders remain unfamiliar with the intricacies of SBCH delivery and are increasingly looking to the market for support. Further, many housebuilders are wary of the potential commercial and practical challenges SBCH could bring to their sites, if it’s not enabled effectively.
To address this, CBH has developed a bespoke SBCH offering for housebuilders, enabling them to meet their SBCH obligations without disrupting their core operations. The approach merges the operational efficiencies of volume housebuilding with CBH’s professional, technical and financial expertise in SBCH. It ensures that custom homes are sellable, mortgageable, and policy-compliant, while aligning with existing development processes.
Highlight Housing will champion and promote this new approach as a viable solution, collaborating with
housebuilders, local authorities, and landowners to support adoption and streamline implementation. By
positioning CBH as the trusted SBCH Partner for housebuilders, Highlight Housing aims to assist in unlocking a new high-growth sub-sector of the new homes market.
Ryan Blair, Managing Director of Highlight Housing, commented: “Highlight is committed to supporting the growth of custom build housing in a way that benefits both housebuilders and homebuyers. We recognise the scalability of CBH’s proposition and are excited to support its launch and early growth. This partnership aligns with our mission to elevate housing standards, reshape perceptions, and enhance community value.”
Working alongside CBH, Highlight Housing will engage with housebuilders, landowners, and planning authorities to support the seamless integration of SBCH into large-scale developments. Through this collaboration, the partnership intends to establish CBH as the pre-eminent SBCH Partner for housebuilders and larger developers, ensuring they fully understand the commercial, operational, and compliance benefits.
Tom Connor, Founder at Custom Build Homes, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Highlight Housing to help us bring this exciting new model to market. Their experience within the Affordable Housing sector married with genuine understanding of SBCH policy and delivery makes Highlight the ideal partner.
For further information, please contact: custombuild@highlight.org.uk
About Highlight Housing
Bringing years of sector experience and a deep understanding of affordable housing complexities, Highlight helps clients navigate challenges and achieve real, scalable growth. Our approach to custom build housing emphasises collaboration and community benefit, setting us apart as not just a consultancy but a partner in impactful development.
About Custom Build Homes
Custom Build Homes is a leading Enabler of Self-Build & Custom Housebuilding, providing innovative solutions for landowners, developers and local authorities.
