Self Build and Custom Build - Authority Monitoring Report

Background and Legislation

Location preference

Plot size 

Background and Legislation

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) commenced on 1st April 2016.  The legislation places a duty on local councils in England to maintain a register of individuals and associations who are interested in finding a serviced plot of land for self-build or custom build homes in their Local Authority area. The council must then have regard to the register and grant a sufficient number of permissions in a three year period from the end of a base period. The base period is defined by the legislation as a 12 month period from the 31 October to 30 October the following year.

Paragraph 12 of the Self-build and custom house build planning policy guidance (Self-build and custom housebuilding - GOV.UK) recommends that Local Authorities publish information about the register, including:

• number of people on the register,
• number of plots sought
• preferred locations in the local area
• plot sizes
• housing intending to be built
• number of self and custom build permissions granted

The register is located at Self build and custom build register | Wyre Forest District Council (wyreforestdc.gov.uk) and further information on community-led housing can be found at Community led housing | Wyre Forest District Council (wyreforestdc.gov.uk).

Table 1: Number of Individuals on the register and number of self and custom build permissions granted

The number of permissions only includes those with a legal agreement. *14 people joined the register prior to 31 October 2022.

Table 2: Application references for self and/or custom build plots, including site address and dates

Location preferences

People applying to go on the WFDC self and Custom Build register are asked to state the areas they would like to purchase a plot. They can select more than one area.

Table 3 illustrates the vast majority of preferences are in rural and village locations. Out of the district’s three towns, there is significantly more interest in Bewdley Town (14) compared to Kidderminster Town (12) and Stourport Town (5). 

Table 3: Location Preference

The District Council is not a significant landholder (of land appropriate for serviced plots) but seeks to meet the registered need through:

• the self-build and custom build policy (SP.12) in the adopted Local Plan which requires Developers to consider providing plots on major new housing estates across the district
• working in partnership with developers, landowners and specialist providers to provide opportunities
• giving permission to sufficient plots in the district during each base period.

Self-build and custom build homes are subject to the same requirements for planning permission as other homes.  This means that irrespective of whether they are being proposed for self-build, if they are an inappropriate development, they would not be provided with planning permission.  Locations for plots that will be considered will need to be sustainable development sites.

Sustainable development is at the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework and new development in the District should support:

1. An economic role, contributing to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy.
2. A social role, supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities.
3. An environmental role, contributing to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment.

All potential locations for self-build and custom build plots should be seeking to meet these development needs set out in the NPPF and at a minimum, they should be in locations that will add value to the local area, be located near to local facilities including public transport, local amenities and schools.

Plot size

The majority of individuals on the register are seeking larger plots with most demand being for 3-bedroom homes.  There is also significant interest in 4-bedroom homes. There wasn’t any interest in 1-bedroom homes.

Table 4: Plot Size Preference

Type of housing to be built

The self-build registration process includes a request for the ‘type’ of self-build / custom build individuals are most keen to pursue.  An explanation of each model is provided on the Council’s website and set out below:

DIY custom build

The customer buys a plot and builds their own home to their own specification.

Self finish custom build

The customer buys a serviced plot from an enabler who owns a number of plots on a site, works with the enabler to create a home to their specification which is then built to be wind and watertight.  The customer takes over the remaining elements themselves or employs subcontractors.

Full turn key custom build

The customer buys a serviced plot from an enabler who owns a number of plots on a site. They work with the enabler to design their home to their specification and individual lifestyle.  The house is completed by the enabling developer to a fixed budget and timescale.

Independent community custom build

Where a group of individuals join forces to purchase a large site which is split into individual plots. They are involved in the planning, design and building of their own home.  By working as part of a group costs are minimised both in terms of labour and materials.

Supported community custom build

As above a group of individuals come together to share their skills, boost their knowledge of building and create a number of houses collectively.  Some groups form themselves and others are formed by housing associations or other agencies.

Cohousing custom build

Cohousing communities are intentional communities created and run by their residents.  Each household has a self-contained, personal and private home, but residents come together to manage their community, share activities, eat together.

Affordable custom build

Those on a low income can participate in the planning, design and building of their own homes through custom build. They can learn a range of new skills and save money through sweat equity.

Levels of interest in different types of self-build and custom build

Most individuals who have registered their interest have selected a preference for DIY Custom Build (30). There was also significant interest in Full Custom Build (15), and Full Turnkey Custom Build (13).

There were also 4 individuals who selected a preference for Independent Community Custom Build, 3 individuals who selected Supported Community Custom Build and 6 who stated an interest in Affordable Custom Build.  It should be noted that individuals are able to select multiple preferences.  The ones listed are the most popular.

Meeting the demand:

The Self-build and Custom build Register is assisting Council Planners to get a better understanding of the level of interest in different types of types of plots.  To date, the Register has demonstrated that there is significant interest in a range of serviced plots including those that are part of a new build development, the conversion of existing buildings and interest in cohousing.  See Table 4 below.

Table 5