Self and custom build housing is housing built by individuals or groups for their own use, either by building the home on their own or by working with builders. The Government is promoting this type of homebuilding, and is seeking local authorities’ assistance in doing this by placing a duty on local authorities to maintain a register of interest through the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015.
Section A1 and A2 of the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 defines self-build and custom housebuilding as:
“the building or completion by
(a) individuals
(b) associations of individuals. or
(c) persons working with or for individuals or associations of individuals,
of houses to be occupied as homes by those individuals.
But it does not include the building of a house on a plot acquired from a person who builds the house wholly or mainly to plans or specifications decided or offered by that person.”
What is the Purpose of the Register?
The Register enables the Council to capture information on the level and type of interest in self build and custom build and to use this evidence to inform its housing and planning policies.
If you register with the Council, you will be notified of custom or self build opportunities as they become available.
The questions are designed to give the Council a clear picture of your wishes and the type and location of site that would meet your requirements.
The Register will be formed of two parts. Part 1 will include applicants who satisfy all of the requirements including the local eligibility conditions. Part 2 will include anyone who satisfies all requirements other than the local eligibility conditions.
What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2 of the Register?
Section 2A of the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 imposes a duty on local authorities to:
‘give suitable development permission in respect of enough serviced plots of land to meet the demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in the authority’s area arising in each base period’. ‘Base period’ refers to the year starting with the date that Section 2A of the Act comes into force and each anniversary thereafter.
This duty applies only to entries on the Part 1 register.
How to Register
The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Regulations 2016 require that certain details are provided in order that you can be considered. The form clearly indicates what this is – you will need to provide these details otherwise your application will be rejected. In addition the Council has included further questions on the form to help provide a better service to applicants by better understanding their needs –it would be helpful if you could respond to these questions also.
The Regulations allow the Council 28 days from submission of your application to determine if you are suitable for inclusion. The Council then has 28 days within which to notify you of its decision. If your request is declined, the Council will have to give reasons for this.
You will need to advise the Council whether you are applying as an individual or as an association.
Who can Register
In order to register you must be;
-18 years or older
-A British citizen, a national of a EEA State other than the UK, or a national of Switzerland: and
-Seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in Daventry District to build a house to occupy as your sole or main residence.