Custom and Self-Build Housing Register

For periods:

• 2017 to 2018
• 2018 to 2019
• 2019 to 2020
• 2020 to 2021
• 2021 to 2022
• 2022 to 2023

This part of the register keeps track of local demand for self-build and custom housebuilding which 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; and
• Meet the Local connection test; one of the following:
• Lived in the Council district for a period of at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of your application to join the register; or
• Has previously lived in the Council district continuously for a period of at least 3 years out of the past 5 years immediately prior to the date of your application to join the register; or
• Has permanent employment within the Council district; or
• Has immediate family members (spouse / partner, parents, step parents, adult (aged 18 years and over) children or step children, or siblings and step siblings) who have lived in the Council district continuously for at least 3 years immediately prior to the date of your application to join the register.

Those who register and fulfil each of the above eligibility criteria will be included in Part 1 of the register.

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

This part of the register keeps track of general demand for self-build and custom build, with 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.

* Anyone who is in the service of the regular armed forces of the Crown is deemed to satisfy the connection test, and anyone who has previously served in the armed forces will be deemed to satisfy the connection test for a period of ten years after leaving service.

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.

Why is a fee required to join the Register?

This reflects the administration that will be required to place entries onto the register, including the assessment of your application for local connections and eligibility, and the ongoing administration that will be required to ensure that it is correct and up-to-date.

What is the definition of a serviced plot of land?

A serviced plot of land is a plot of land that either has access to a public highway and has connections for electricity, water and waste water, or, in the opinion of a relevant authority, can be provided with access to those things.

Will I get a self-build plot in my desired location?

There is no guarantee that a suitable plot will be found in the location of your choice.

All proposals for residential development are determined in relation to the policies contained in the adopted Local Plan for North Norfolk (see Core Strategy). At present this limits the locations in which residential development can be permitted to the main towns and a number of larger villages in the district, with the exception of replacement dwellings or affordable housing developments. A new Local Plan is currently being prepared and this means a new and updated strategy upon which to deliver development to meet various needs across North Norfolk. This will result in some changes to the locations which are considered suitable for new residential growth.

Are serviced plots of land available in North Norfolk?

Planning Applications can be submitted at any time for proposals including the provision of serviced self/custom-build plots of land. Where such applications are approved we will seek to notify those on the register and provide relevant contact details. This could enable you to engage in discussions with the landowner leading to the potential acquisition of a self/custom-build plot.

Permissions granted which include serviced plots of land specifically set aside for self-build or custom-build projects:

How will the Council provide self and custom build plots?

One existing mechanism to meet the demand is through the Housing Delivery Incentives Scheme. The Incentives Scheme is designed to speed up the delivery of approved housing development in the District. In order to qualify for available incentives (on major schemes involving 30 dwellings or more) developers are required to provide a percentage of the total number of houses proposed as serviced self/custom-build plots. Irrespective of whether the incentives scheme has been used, Planning Officers will seek to negotiate for the provision of self/custom-build plots where appropriate.

The Council is preparing a new Local Plan. The emerging policy regarding the mix of housing types provided as part of a development requires a minimum percentage of serviced plots to be made available for sale to self/custom house builders (on residential developments of 26 dwellings or more). The demand for self/custom-build housing is established by the Register and has informed this policy approach. Policy HOU2 (Delivering the Right Mix of Homes) is detailed in the Proposed Submission Version Local Plan, which was published for consultation during January and March 2022.

Can North Norfolk District Council provide custom-build plots?

The Council will consider opportunities for custom build plots on Council owned land as part of its ongoing planning and housing functions but has not made any formal decisions regarding disposal of land for this purpose.

What happens if I register?

We will contact you when proposals for serviced custom and self-build plots gain planning permission in North Norfolk. We will seek to provide details of the location and landowner or developer contact details, should you wish to explore opportunities to purchase land for your self-build project.

We will contact you at the end of the Register period to enquire if you wish to remain on the Register for the following annual period. We do not presently charge a further fee for this.

Will I still need planning permission to build my own home?

Yes, any proposals for self-build or custom-build housing will require formal planning permission and will be subject to all relevant planning policies. They will also need approval from Building Control.

Where can I get further information from?

Additional information on self-build homes is available from:

• Planning a Self-Build Home (Planning Portal Guide)
• Self Build Portal
• Right to Build Toolkit