Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register

We are currently receiving a high number of planning applications which is resulting in delays to our usual response times. We are determining applications and responding to enquiries in the order they are received. We will respond as soon as possible.

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty on local authorities to keep and publicise a register of individuals and community groups (associations of individuals) locally, who want to acquire land for self-build and custom-built homes, and to have regard to these registers in carrying out the following functions:

  • planning
  • housing
  • the disposal of any land by the authority
  • regeneration.

The register helps us to find out more about the demand for self and custom build plots within the District. However, registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or will become available.  Headline data on the demand for such plots is published in the Council’s Annual Monitoring Report.

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (Register) Regulations 2016 sets out how we are required to fulfil the duty of the Act.

An individual is eligible for entry on the Council’s self-build and custom housebuilding register if they are:

  • aged 18 or over
  • a British citizen, a national of an European Economic Area (EEA) state other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland
  • seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in the relevant authority's area to build a house to occupy as that individual's sole or main residence. 

An association is eligible for entry in the register if each member of the association meets all eligibility requirements for an individual set out above.

Self-build and custom-built homes are subject to the same requirement for planning permission as other homes.

To apply for inclusion on the self-build and custom housebuilding register, complete our application form. (docx, 97kb)

We will determine the application for entry on the self-build register within 28 days of receipt and notify the applicant in writing of the decision.

By registering, you will be helping us to find out more about the demand for custom build plots within the District. However, registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or become available.

Your personal information will be treated as confidential in accordance with the Planning and Street Naming Privacy Notice. We won’t pass identifiable information from the register on to anyone outside of the Council without the written consent of the person who registered their details. We will only publish headline data from the register. Should an applicant wish to amend their details or be removed from the register, they can contact us.

Once you are on the register we will keep the register under review and update it on a regular basis. We will contact you annually to ensure your details are up to date and for confirmation of your continued interest in building in the District. This is to ensure that the register remains accurate. If we do not hear from you we may remove your details from the register