Self-build and custom housebuilding cover a wide range of things, from projects where individuals are involved in building or managing the construction of their home from beginning to end, to projects where individuals commission their home, making key design and layout decisions, but the home is built ready for occupation.
You can read the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) on the government website which provides a legal definition of self-build and custom housebuilding.
Register your self-build or custom housebuild application
We are required to keep a register of people who are seeking land to build a home.
To make an application for entry onto the register you need to register on our local plan consultee database and complete the self-build registration form.
Eligibility for entry in either part one or part two of the register is set out in the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Regulations 2016 Regulation 4 on the government website.
Local eligibility criteria for entry onto part one of the register has been set and includes a local connection test and the payment of a one-off fee. This is set out in more detail when you complete the self-build registration form on our local plan consultee database.
How we will use the information on the register
The register provides data about demand for self-build and custom housebuilding which we use when carrying out our planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions.
Data about demand will guide the number, location, and type of self-build and custom-build plots that we seek to permit. Registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or become available.
Sites for sale
When our sites are put up for sale that may be appropriate for housing, we will publicise them.
There may be a privately owned sites already for sale, so it is a good idea to use external plot finding services. The Self Build Portal has several resources that may help you.
Other useful sources of information
There are a few sources of information which may assist you if you are thinking of building your own home as an individual or as part of a group: