TEIGNBRIDGE Council has bagged itself an award in recognition for its pioneering work in self-build at the annual Build It Awards.

The district authority has been awarded the best council for self/custom builders seeing off two other authorities for the national title.

The accolade was picked up at a gala dinner in London by the council’s leader Jeremy Christophers and senior planning officer Alex Lessware.

Cllr Christophers said: ‘We are thrilled to have won this award.

‘For Teignbridge to be recognised on a national level is a huge endorsement for the work we have been doing over the last five years – making a difference to the lives of people in Teignbridge by helping them build their own dream homes.

‘It has been a busy time for Teignbridge as the first council to adopt a custom and self build policy, including what is known as the “Teignbridge Rule”, where five per cent of development on larger sites must be for self-build.

‘Winning this award is the icing on the cake.’

Director of Plotbuild, Richard Thomas, nominated the council for the awards.

He said:?‘We are delighted Teignbridge has won this award, recognising that it is showing other local authorities how to do it in a number of ways.’

The Build It Awards 2016 celebrates all aspects of self-build and renovation, including completed projects, services and suppliers.