Applicants who meet at least one of the of the local connection criteria are entered on to part 1 of the register, those who do not meet any of the local connection criteria are entered on to part 2.
About self-build and custom build housing
Self-build and custom build houses are a key element of the government’s agenda to deliver a supply and diversity of homes as outlined in Paragraph 63 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); “the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community should be assessed and reflected in planning policies (including, but not limited to, those who require affordable housing, families with children, older people, students, people with disabilities, service families, travellers, people who rent their homes and people wishing to commission or build their own homes).”
The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (Amended 2016) aims to achieve this, by placing a duty on local authorities to operate a self-build register for individuals and groups seeking to acquire serviceable plots of land in their area for self-build and custom housebuilding purposes. It also places a requirement on local authorities to have regard to the register when carrying out planning, housing, disposal of any land of the authority and regeneration functions.
The NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) both provide national guidance to support self-build and custom housebuilding.
These documents note that self-build and custom housebuilding covers a wide spectrum, including projects where individuals are involved directly in the building and management of the construction of their home from beginning to end, to projects where individuals commission the building of their home, making design choices and occupying the home when complete.
The NPPF defines self-build and custom build housing as ‘Housing built by an individual, a group of individuals, or persons working with or for them, to be occupied by that individual. Such housing can be either market or affordable housing. A legal definition, for the purpose of applying the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended), is contained in section 1(A1) and (A2) of that Act.’
While the properties may be constructed through a variety of methods, to be considered a self-build or custom housebuilding project, Leeds City Council must be satisfied that the initial owner of the home will have primary input into its final design and layout.
Our obligations and how the register contributes to meeting them
The Act notes that local authorities must give suitable development permission to enough suitable serviced plots of land to meet the demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in their area. It should use the demand intelligence gathered from registers in its planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration function. Under the Act, there is no duty on local authorities to provide specific land or grant permission which specifically meets the requirements of those on the register.
In addition to maintaining the Self-build Register, we are also working with a number of community-led housing organisations to bring forward residential proposals. A number of which are registered as self-build groups on the self-build register. The majority of these groups have approached us looking to secure council-owned land and have been advised that they are likely to require access to public funding to support site acquisition and build costs.
We are looking at how we support the self-build agenda as part of the Local Plan 2040 update.
Join the register
The register enables those with an interest in self-build or custom housebuilding in the Leeds council area to register their interest and be informed of land suitable for self-build and custom housebuilding within Leeds when it arises.
Eligibility
To join the register, you must be:
- over the age of 18
- a British citizen, a national of a EEA State or a national of Switzerland and
- looking to buy a serviced plot of land in the Leeds City Council area
We have also introduced a local connection test. This is where anyone who meets all of the above criteria and demonstrates a local connection to the Leeds council area by meeting least one of the below criteria are eligible to join part 1 of the register. You can demonstrate this if you:
- have been resident within the Leeds council area for a continuous period of 12 months immediately prior to the date of applying to the Self-Build Register
- have been employed within the Leeds council area for a continuous period of 12 months immediately prior to the date of applying to the Self-Build Register
- have family associations who are residents within the Leeds council area for a continuous period of 12 months immediately prior to the date of applying to the Self-Build Register
- recently secured employment within the Leeds council area for at least 12 months
- are currently in service of the regular armed forces of the crown or have ceased to be in service within the last 3 years
You do not need to provide evidence of this at application stage but you may be asked for proof at any time.
Entries on part 1 of the register count towards the number of suitable serviced plots that Leeds City Council is obligated to grant development permission for under the 2015 Act (as amended). Entries on part 2 do not count towards demand for the purpose of the 2015 Act (as amended) but relevant authorities must have regard to the entries on part 2 when carrying out their planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions.
This means, for example, in plan-making, the starting point for establishing overall demand for self-build and custom housebuilding would be the number of registrants on part 1 and part 2 of the register.
Serviced plots of land
A serviced plot of land either has access to a public highway and has connections for electricity, water and waste water, or can be provided with access to those things before the building project is finished.
Access to a public highway can include private or unadopted roads as long as there is a guaranteed right of access. Connections for electricity, water and waste water must either be provided to the boundary of the plot or other arrangements must be possible such as the use of a cesspit.
Registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or that a suitable plot will become available.
Self-build properties and Community Infrastructure Levy
Self-build and custom build houses that meet necessary qualification requirements and complete the application process in the required time can receive an exemption from the Community Infrastructure Levy. Individuals benefitting from the exemption must own and occupy the property as their principal residence for a minimum of 3 years after the work is completed.
Find out more about Community Infrastructure Levy Exemptions on GOV.UK.
Sites for sale
You can find council owned land and property that’s currently for sale or to let.
There may be a privately owned site already for sale so its a good idea to use external plot finding services. The Self Build Portal has a number of resources that may help you.
Your privacy
We are required by law to keep this register. We only publish:
- the number of individuals and groups on the register
- the number of serviced plots people are looking for
- information about members’ preferences such as location and property type
Once you have joined the register, we will be in touch, usually annually, to ensure details are up to date. Only the details of those who want to stay on the register are retained. We reserve the right to change this approach if appropriate.
