Custom and Self-Build Housing

Custom and self-build covers a wide spectrum of development.  Most people will need to commission an architect to design a house, and/or a builder to build it.  However, it can range 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 ('turnkey').  Custom and self-build is an ideal way to obtain a house that meets your exact requirements.  Depending on how much external help you require, it can also be a cheaper way to acquire a new home.

TheSelf-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) (opens new window) provides a legal definition of self-build and custom housebuilding. The Act does not distinguish between self-build and custom housebuilding.  There are various types of development that meet this definition:

• Individual custom build - an individual buys a plot of land and build a house to live in.  They may employ an architect, project manager, firm of builders, or do the work themselves.
• Group custom build - as above, but a group of individuals building homes for them to occupy
• Developer led custom build - a larger site is divided into individual plots, usually with a design guide covering what is acceptable on the plots.  People can tailor the new property to their needs.

In considering whether a home is a self-build or custom build home, relevant authorities (including the Local Planning Authority when determining planning applications) must be satisfied that the initial owner of the home will have primary input into its final design and layout. Off-plan housing, homes purchased at the plan stage prior to construction and without input into the design and layout from the buyer, are not considered to meet the definition of self-build and custom housing.

The Custom and Self-Build Register has been set up to measure the level of demand for custom-build and self-build plots in Breckland. It enables Breckland Council to develop a strategy for delivering serviced plots for custom-build and self-build projects and to meet the demand for serviced plots by granting sufficient planning permissions for those on Part 1 of the register. 

The application fee is £50 and registration is valid for 12 months only. You will need to renew your application after 12 months to stay on the register. The application fee is non-refundable. Applying to join the register does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be found in the location of choice.

Please note the Custom and Self-Build Register application process changed in December 2024. If you were previously on the register you will need to reapply.

Apply to be on the Custom and Self-Build Register

Who can register?

The Government has issued regulations about eligibility for entry on the register. Breckland Council's register is divided into two parts:

• Part 1: People who meet the local connection test, test of financial resources, and the basic eligibility.
• Part 2: People without a local connection but meet the basic eligibility and test of financial resources.

In order to register, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria:

• aged 18 or over
• a British citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the UK, or a national of Switzerland
• seeking either alone or with others to acquire a serviced plot of land in Breckland to build a house to occupy as your sole or main residence

Part 1: People or associations with a local connection

This part of the register keeps track of local demand for self-build and custom homes.  Demand on this part of the register must be met via the grant of sufficient development permissions for serviced plots of land.

To be eligible for Part 1 of the register, you need to:

• meet the basic eligibility
• meet the local connection test.  To pass the local connection test, you must live, work or have close family in Breckland, or have previously lived here.  If you fulfil each of the above eligibility criteria will be included in part 1 of the register.
• Meet the financial eligibility test: a basic demonstration that assets or finance are available to you, to commence your build.

The only exception to the above will be members of the armed forces. Anyone who is the UK regular armed forces is deemed to satisfy the local connection test.  Anyone who has previously served in the UK regular armed forces is deemed to pass the connection test for a period of ten years after leaving service.

Part 2: People or associations without a local connection

This part of the register keeps track of general demand for custom build and self-build.  There is no requirement to grant sufficient development permissions for serviced plots of land to meet this demand. It informs policy and the Council's overarching approach.

To be eligible for Part 2 of the register, you will need to have met the basic eligibility and the financial resources test.

The only exception to the above will be members of the armed forces. Anyone who is the UK regular armed forces is deemed to satisfy the local connection test.  Anyone who has previously served in the UK regular armed forces is deemed to pass the connection test for a period of ten years after leaving service.

What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2?

Section 2A of the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 imposes a legal duty on us to grant sufficient development permissions to meet the demand for self-build and custom house building; this duty only applies to entries on part 1 of the register.

When serviced plots are available the Council will require that they be offered to individuals and associations on the Part 1 register. The Council will not be seeking development permissions specifically for the Part 2 register.

Registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified, or become available.

Biodiversity Net Gain Exemption

With regards to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), further information can be found on ourBiodiversity Net Gain page.  If you wish to make an application for a custom and self-build exemption, then the exemption only applies when it meets all the following conditions:   

• consists of no more than 9 dwellings 
• on a site that has an area no larger than 0.5 hectares    
• consists exclusively of dwellings that are custom or self-build as defined insection 1(A1) of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (opens new window)

Also, please note the following in relation to custom and self-build planning applications:

• The Council will only accept an exemption for custom and self-build, where this forms part of the description of development.
• In order to be considered as custom and self-build, the owner of the home must have had primary input into the design and layout of the dwelling.  You will be asked to demonstrate this through your submission for planning permission and this should include (but not limited to):
  • a written statement setting out how the self-builder has had input into the design and layout of the home;
  • where and what parts of the process, inspiration and how this has been executed/evolved, including details of meetings;
  • details of sufficient funds to build (i.e. self-build mortgage agreement), and;
  • a design and engagement brief setting out how the relevant parties will work together to deliver the project. 
• The person promoting the plot must be included on the Authority's custom and self-build register at the time of applying for planning permission.

If you are seeking to build a self-build home property or require further information, including how to apply for planning permission, guidance is available onthe Planning Portal. (opens new window) andGOV.UK. We do offer pre-application advice,information is available on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Opportunities

We are able to share opportunities for custom and self-build housing with persons on the register.  If you would like a plot you are selling to be included, please email housingenabler@breckland.gov.uk with details of selling price, contact details, and any other relevant information. 

Monitoring

If you have any questions about the register, please email our Strategic Housing Team at housingenabler@breckland.gov.uk