Self Build and Custom Build - Authority Monitoring Report

Location preferences

Plot size

Types of housing to be built

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

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act (March 2015) 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.

Wyre Forest District Council developed its Self-build and Custom build Register in accordance with the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Planning Practice Guidance (April 2016). Web pages for both the register and information on community-led housing were also developed to ensure relevant information could easily be found online. You can view the Self build and custom build register on our website, along with further information on Community-led housing.

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (Register) Regulations 2016 commenced on 1 April 2016. The first input to the Wyre Forest District Council Register was on 3 April 2016.

In May 2019, the Council carried out a review of the Register in order to ascertain how much demand there was for plots, and to check if those already on the Register still wished to remain included.

The Council also updated the online registration process to request consent for personal details (name and address), to be shared with developers who may be able to offer serviced plots in the future.

Number of individuals on the register

On October 31, 2023, there were a total of 22 individuals on the register. Of those 22 individuals,18 had a local connection and four did not.

Number of plots sought

By the end of October 2023, a total of 23 plots were permissioned. 

Location preferences

People applying to go on the Wyre Forest District Council 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 1 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 (19) compared to Kidderminster Town (15) and Stourport Town (7). 

Table 1

Plot size

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

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 Self Finish Custom Build (15) and DIY Custom Build (14). There was also significant interest in Full Turn Key Custom Build (11).

There were also 3 individuals who selected a preference for Independent Community Custom Build, 2 individuals who selected Supported Community Custom Build and 5 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

Under the Self-build and Custom House Building Regulations 2015, the District Council is required to keep a register of households who are seeking to acquire serviced plots of land in their area to build homes for those households to occupy.

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 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.

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 3 below.

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.