Self-build and custom build in Warwick District

The government is keen to promote self and custom building as a means of increasing the overall number of dwellings and encouraging the growth of the custom build sector. In March 2015, the Government enacted legislation "The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act" (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) requiring Local Authorities to maintain a register of people who are seeking to acquire land to build their own home. This will inform the Council of the level of demand for custom and self-build housing in the area of the local authority.

Definition 

In brief, self-build usually means that you are directly involved in organising the design and construction of your new home. Custom build usually means working with a specialist developer to help you deliver your home. There may be some overlap between the two - for example some custom build developers offer the option of a serviced plot where you can design and build your own home as part of a larger scheme.

Eligibility criteria

The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Regulations 2016 has set out the following eligibility criteria for entry on the register. To enter the register, the applicant must:

  • be aged 18 years or over;
  • be a British Citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland;
  • satisfy any conditions set by the local authority (local eligibility conditions);
  • pay any fee required by the local authority to be entered in or to remain on the register; and
  • be seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in the area of the local authority for their own self-build and custom housebuilding

Changes

On 31 October 2019, the District Council made some changes to Warwick Districts custom and self-build registration process, including the setting of charging fees and local eligibility criteria.

Fees and payment

The following registration fees apply to enter the custom and self-build register. All fees can be paid through the District Councils online payment facility as set out within the application forms. Your application will not be processed until payment has been received.

  • Registration fee for entry on part 1 - £50
  • Registration fee for entry on part 2 - £25
  • Annual registration fee to remain on part 1 - £20

Warwick District Council's custom and self-build register

From 31 October 2019, the register will be split into Part 1 and Part 2 as follows:

Part 1

For entry on part 1 of the register, applicants are required to meet the basic eligibility criteria and have a local connection to the area (applicants are required to provide evidence to show how they meet this). The Council must consider the number of registrations recorded in Part 1 when providing sufficient planning permissions to serviced plots to meet this demand.

Part 2

This part of the register will show general demand for custom and self-build. Applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria only are entered on Part 2 of the register. There is no obligation for the council to provide sufficient number of planning permissions to serviced plots for entries on Part 2. However, the Council will have regard to this general demand when carrying out planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions.

Local eligibility criteria

Warwick District Council has set out local eligibility criteria in accordance with The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Regulations 2016. Applicants are required to demonstrate if they meet the following local eligibility criteria:

  • live in the district; or
  • have immediate family members who currently live in the district; or
  • are in full-time employment in the district; or
  • a member of the Armed Forces/ have left the service in the last five years

Annual registration

To remain on Part 1 of the register after the initial 12-month registration period, applicants are required to re-apply annually and pay a £20 fee. Entries on the register will be removed after the initial 12-month registration period if:

  • applicant no longer meets the eligibility criteria
  • applicant has acquired land to build their own home and is no longer seeking a plot
  • applicant fails to pay the required fee to remain on the register

To remain on the register, please complete the relevant form below.

Register your interest 

The simplest way of registering your interest in custom and self-build is to complete the form below.

If you would like any assistance or have any queries, please contact the Planning Policy team at: planningpolicy@warwickdc.gov.uk

Progress report

The Progress Report is a summary of the self-build register and demonstrates to what extent demand for self-build is being met within Warwick District.

Local eligibility criteria evidence

One or more of the following criteria must be met prior to the date of your application to join part 1 of the register.

Live in Warwick District

If you live in Warwick District, please provide documents dated within the last 3 months to prove your residency. You can submit any of the following document:

  • Household utility bills
  • Council tax bill
  • Landlord contract
  • Electoral register entry form

Have close family who lives in Warwick District

If you have close family members who currently live in Warwick District, please provide documentation of your relationship, and proof of family members residency in the district, dated in the last 3 months.

  • Documentation of your relationship
  • Marriage certificates
  • Birth certificates

AND

  • Proof of their residency, dated within the last 3 months (as listed above)

Work in Warwick District

If you are in full-time employment in Warwick District, please provide documents dated in the last 6 months to prove your employment. Examples on what you can submit are listed below:

  • HM Revenues & Customs tax documents
  • Employment contract
  • Written letter from your employer

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