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Self Build Register

The Government wants more people to build or commission their new home. To help realise this, Local Authorities are required to keep a Self-Build Register of those seeking to acquire serviced plots in the area for their own self-build and custom-housing. The register enables us to understand local demand for this type of housing. This understanding will help inform future policies and projects to help bring forward custom and self-build development.

You can register your interest in self-building as a self-builder online.

What is Self-Build and Custom-Build Housing?

The terms 'Self-Build' and 'Custom-Build' describe situations where individuals or groups are involved in creating their own, individually designed home.

Self-Build projects means that you are directly involved in organising the design and construction of your new home. This can cover a range of projects, such as where you:

  • select the design and then do much of the actual construction work yourself
  • arrange for a contractor/builder to build your new home for you

Custom-build homes tend to be those where you work with a specialist developer to help deliver your home. Developers can provide you with everything from securing or providing a site in the first place, through to managing the construction work and even arranging the finance for you.

What is the purpose of the Register?

The Self-Build and Custom House Building Act 2015 places a duty on local authorities to keep and publicise a register of individuals and groups who want to acquire land for self-build and custom built homes, and to have regarded to these registers in carrying out the following functions:

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

You do not need to be on the Register to carry out a self-build or custom-build project. The register helps us to find out more about the demand for self and custom build plots within the District and consider future requirements for this type of housing.

Being on the Register does not mean that we are obliged to find you a site for your project or that a suitable plot will be identified or will become available through the Council.

There are several websites that can help you to find a suitable parcel of land. The Self Build Portal operated by the National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) also has useful advice for anyone wanting to build their own home.

 

What area does the Register cover?

Ashfield, Mansfield and Newark & Sherwood District Councils keep a shared register of individuals and groups who want to acquire land for self-build and custom-build homes within any of their Districts. These three Districts are within a shared Housing Market Area, so a joint register has been created to reflect this.

The register allows you to choose from broad areas within these Districts as well as giving you the opportunity to inform us if you’d like to build outside the three districts.

How to Register Your Interest

If you would like to register your interest for a custom or self-build plot, please complete the online registration. It should take less than 10 minutes. You will need to provide the names and details of the people involved as well as information about your planned project. Please ensure that you answer all required questions.

Individuals who wish to build in Newark & Sherwood are encouraged to apply for pre-application advice on the likelihood of obtaining planning permission.

More Information

You can read further guidance on guidance on self-build and custom-build on the Government website.

The National Custom and Self Build Association also includes a range of useful information on self-build and custom housebuilding.