Research and analysis

Data release: Self-build and custom housebuilding data: 2016 to 2021-22

Updated 31 March 2023

Applies to England

In this release:

Between 31 October 2021 and 30 October 2022, data reported by local authorities shows:

• 8,034 new individuals joined the register, a decrease of 34% from the same period a year earlier
• 99 new groups joined the register, a decrease of 37% from the previous year
• 63,662 individuals were on the register in total, an increase of 8% from a year earlier
• 807 groups were on the register in total, an increase of 6% from 2020-21
• 6,374 planning permissions were granted for serviced plots suitable for self and custom build, a decrease of 23% from the same period a year earlier

Release date: 31 March 2023

Date of next release: March 2024

Contact: Andrew Presland Planning.Statistics@levellingup.gov.uk

Media enquiries: 0303 444 1209 NewsDesk@levellingup.gov.uk

Background to the data

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 requires each relevant local authority to keep a register of individuals and groups who are seeking to acquire serviced plots of land in the authority’s area for their own self-build and custom housebuilding. Since 2016, the department has collected information from relevant local authorities in England on self-build and custom housebuilding activity in their areas. The data have been collected to build up a national picture^{[footnote 1]} of how authorities are taking forward self-build and custom housebuilding and complying with their statutory requirements. The key objectives of the data collection are to identify trends and inform policy development. The data are collated and then reported to Ministers.

Local authorities have provided data over defined reporting cycles referred to as ‘base periods’. In practice, the first base period - April 2016 to October 2016 - was a partial period. Thereafter, the base periods run consecutively from October to October.

Since 2017, the Department has requested information on the numbers of new entries of both individuals and groups that have joined the register during each relevant base period and the total number of entries on the register since the monitoring exercise began. Local authorities are also asked to report on the number of planning permissions for serviced plots they have granted which are suitable for self-build and custom housebuilding during the relevant base period. Since 2017-18, local authorities have provided further additional information on self-build and custom build activity in their areas.

In the tables (ODS, 224KB), we are publishing data reported by local authorities and collated by the Department. The first version of the tables and this release, published on 8 February 2021, covered figures from April 2017 to 2018-19; the next one, published on 22 July 2021 additionally covered 2019-20; and the one after that – published on 6 May 2022 - additionally covered 2020-21. This update also covers 2021-22 and, as with previous updates, the tables also reflect revisions to past years’ figures as reported by some local authorities. The tables set out data on the demand for self-build and custom housebuilding revealed by register numbers, the number of permissions granted in each authority area (as reported by the authority), and additional information on self-build and custom build activity in each authority area.

The data included in the tables exclude those for questions for which the answers were to be given as free-flowing text responses – e.g. for 2021-22, these comprise Q7 (Beyond the minimum requirement of holding a webpage, what is your local authority actively doing to publicise your self- and custom-build register?), Q8a (further details of ways in which self- and custom-build opportunities are being promoted to people on the register), Q9i (further details or supporting information) and information entered in the notes box.

Where there are gaps in the data, it can be assumed that specific figures were unavailable or authorities did not provide a data return. In addition, two local authorities (The Broads Authority and the London Borough of Richmond) sought and were granted exemptions from Section 2A of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (the duty to grant planning permission).

These two authorities are not, however, exempt from the need to have regard to their register when carrying out their planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions. There is no exemption from this duty.

The published data can support development opportunities for self-build and custom housebuilding by increasing awareness among individuals and groups as well as landowners, builders and developers of the level and nature of demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in each relevant authority, and across England.

Technical details

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 does not distinguish between self-build and custom housebuilding^{[footnote 2]} but provides that both occur where an individual, an association of individuals, or persons working with or for individuals or associations of individuals, build or complete houses to be occupied as homes by those individuals. In considering whether a home is a self-build or custom build home, relevant authorities must be satisfied that the initial owner of the home will have primary input into its final design and layout.

Relevant 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. The level of demand is established by reference to the number of entries added to an authority’s register during a base period.

At the end of each base period, relevant authorities have three years in which to grant permission for an equivalent number of plots of land, which are suitable for self-build and custom housebuilding, as there are entries for that base period.

Authorities should consider section 2A(6)(c) of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, which defines ‘suitable development permission’ and the accompanying guidance.

Although the legislation does not specify how suitable permissions must be recorded, the following are examples of criteria an authority could use to determine if an application, permission or development is for self-build or custom housebuilding:

• the latest 1APP form (PDF, 2.47MB) has been used, within which section 17 (residential units) identifies self or custom build units
• a Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106 exemption has been granted for a particular development
• developers have identified that self or custom build plots will be included as part of their development and it is clear that the initial owner of the homes will have primary input into its final design and layout
• a planning application references self or custom build and it is clear that the initial owner of the homes will have primary input into its final design and layout. Ultimately, the local authority must be satisfied that the development permissions being counted meet the legislative requirements and that these can withstand the scrutiny of local constituents or any legal challenge.

See further guidance on the regulations.

Feedback

The team responsible for policy on self-build and custom housebuilding is interested in understanding more about how the data are used and the decisions they inform. This is important for them, so that they can provide a high quality service which meets users’ needs. Please contact them with feedback at custombuild@levellingup.gov.uk.

Appendix 1: Questions, notes and definitions for the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (SBCH) form for 2021-22

1. How many entries on your register in the sixth base period, 31 October 2021 to 30 October 2022? A. Individual; B. Group

2. How many entries on your register in total (i.e. base period 1 plus base periods 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6 and 7)?

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 requires each relevant authority to keep a register of individuals and associations of individuals who are seeking to acquire serviced plots of land in the authority’s area for their own self-build and custom housebuilding.

Question 1 is asking how many new entries have joined the register during this relevant base period (31 October 2021 to 30 October 2022).

Question 2 is asking how many entries are on the register in total (base period 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7).

Please note: if you have a joint register with another local authority, it is important to identify and separate the register numbers for each local authority based on the preferences expressed by the register participants at joining.

The Act does not distinguish between self-build and custom housebuilding and provides that both are where an individual, an association of individuals, or persons working with or for individuals or associations of individuals, build or complete houses to be occupied as homes by those individuals. In considering whether a home is a self-build or custom build home, relevant authorities must be satisfied that the initial owner of the home will have primary input into its final design and layout.

3. How many planning permissions for serviced plots suitable for self and custom build have been granted between 31 October 2021 and 30 October 2022?

Question 3 is asking how many planning permissions for serviced plots suitable for self and custom build were granted during the most recent base period (31 October 2021 to 30 October 2022)

Relevant 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. The level of demand is established by reference to the number of entries added to an authority’s register during a base period.

At the end of each base period, relevant authorities have three years in which to permission an equivalent number of plots of land, which are suitable for self-build and custom housebuilding, as there are entries for that base period.

Authorities should consider section 2A(6)(c) of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 which defines ‘suitable development permission’ and the accompanying guidance.

The legislation does not specify how suitable permissions must be recorded, however, the following are examples of criteria an authority could use to determine if an application, permission or development is for self-build or custom housebuilding:

• the latest 1APP form (PDF, 2.47MB) has been used, within which section 17 (residential units) identifies self or custom build units
• a Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106 exemption has been granted for a particular development
• developers have identified that self or custom build plots will be included as part of their development and it is clear that the initial owner of the homes will have primary input into its final design and layout
• a planning application references self or custom build and it is clear that the initial owner of the homes will have primary input into its final design and layout. Ultimately the local authority must be satisfied that the development permissions being counted meet the legislative requirements and that these can withstand the scrutiny of local constituents or any legal challenge.

4. Have you introduced a local connection test? [yes/no] (if no go to Q5)

a) If so, from what date did this apply?

b) How many entries on part one of the register? i. Individuals ii. groups

c) How many entries on part two of the register? i. Individuals ii. groups

Relevant authorities who choose to set a local connection test are required to have two parts to their register. Individuals or associations of individuals who apply for entry on the register and meet all the eligibility criteria must be entered on Part 1. Those who meet all the eligibility criteria except for a local connection test must be entered on Part 2 of the register. Relevant authorities must count entries on Part 1 of the register towards the number of suitable serviced plots that they must grant development permission for. 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.

5. Have you introduced a financial viability test? [yes/no] (if no go to Q6)

a) If so, from what date did this apply?

b) How many applicants to the register have failed the test?

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) enables relevant authorities to include up to two optional local eligibility tests. These are limited to a local connection test and a financial solvency test. We expect that relevant authorities will apply one or both these tests only where they have a strong justification for doing so. They should ensure that they are proportionate and, in the case of the former, we expect these to be introduced in response to a recognised local issue. Relevant authorities should consider consulting on their proposals before they introduce the tests and should review them periodically to ensure that they remain appropriate and that they are still achieving the desired effect.

6. Have you implemented a charge for entry onto the register? [yes/no] (if no go to Q7)

a) If so, what is the charge (amount, frequency)? [free text]

Relevant authorities can only set fees on a cost recovery basis. Any fees charged must therefore be proportionate, reflect genuine costs incurred and should not act as a deterrent for people to be entered on or remain on the register.

To recover their costs of registering an individual or association of individuals, relevant authorities can charge an entry fee to individuals and associations of individuals who apply to be entered on their register. Relevant authorities can charge a different fee to associations than to individuals where they incur a different cost for processing an application from an association of individuals compared with an application from an individual.

To recover their costs incurred when complying with the ‘duty to grant planning permission etc’, relevant authorities can charge a higher entry fee to those whose entry onto the register counts towards the number of plots of permissioned land required. In most cases this will be people on Part 1 of the register where a relevant authority is not exempt from the ‘duty to grant planning permission etc’. As a result it is possible that where relevant authorities have set a local connection test and hence have two parts to the register, the fee charged when someone enters Part 1 of the register may be different to the fee charged to someone being entered on Part 2, which would reflect any additional costs of those on Part 1 contributing to demand and hence the number of sites which must have suitable planning permission granted.

Relevant authorities that are not exempt from the ‘duty to grant planning permissions etc’ can charge an additional annual fee in following years to those who are entered on Part 1 of their register (or the register if no local connection test has been set and so the register is not divided into two parts) and wish to remain on it.

7. Beyond the minimum requirement of holding a webpage, what is your local authority actively doing to publicise your self- and custom-build register?

Section 1(2) of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 requires each relevant authority to publicise its register. As a minimum, relevant authorities are recommended to hold a webpage on their website that is dedicated to self-build and custom housebuilding. This should be used to set out what the authority is doing to promote opportunities for self-build and custom housebuilding in their area, explain the purpose of the register and how to apply for entry on the register. Relevant authorities are also recommended to consider additional innovative methods of publicising their register and self and custom build activities to increase awareness of it. This could include, amongst other options:

• advertising the existence of the register through promotional materials
• highlighting the option of self-build and custom housebuilding when engaging with parishes and neighbourhood forums on neighbourhood plans
• promoting or raising as an option when speaking to developers about their plans
• holding local self-build forums or town hall style meetings for the community to attend
• open days and events
• social media activity such as specific pages, groups or promotional mentions

8. Are you communicating self-build and custom housebuilding opportunities to the people on your register? [yes/no] (if no go to Q9)

‘Opportunities’ could include:

• local authority or private land suitable for self and custom build that are available to be bid on
• developments with planning permission and plots available to self and custom builders etc
• specific land identified in the local plan as for self and custom build
• if a developer wishes to make their project known to those on the register

We are interested in whether opportunities are currently available in your authority’s area and whether you are sharing these with those people currently on the register.

9. In having regards to your register when carrying out your housing, planning and re-generative functions, have you undertaken any of the following:

a) Local Plan policy - included general support for custom and self-build?

b) Local Plan policy - promoted custom and self-build as part of housing mix policy?

c) Local Plan policy - adopted a percentage policy for self and custom build at larger sites?

d) Introduced supplementary planning policies/ guidance?

e) Introduced consideration as part of land allocations, disposals and acquisitions?

f) Specifically supported identified projects

g) Taken action through Housing Strategy

h) Adopted Neighbourhood Plans which incorporate policies on self and custom build

i) Please provide further details of the above or any other supporting information

Section 1(2) of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty on authorities to have regard to each self-build and custom housebuilding register that relates to their area when carrying out their planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions. We are aware that some authorities are approaching this, in part, through supplementary planning policies on self-build and custom housebuilding and we are interested in the variety of approaches that local authorities are putting in place such as through local plans.

At the end of the form: Please use the notes box [below] to supply us with any further information.

Appendix 2: Voluntary compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics

The Code of Practice for Statistics was published by the UK Statistics Authority in February 2018 to set standards for organisations in producing and publishing official statistics and ensure that statistics serve the public good.

Whilst the data from the self-/custom-build Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (SBCH) form are not designated as official statistics, the principles of transparency of high-quality analytical outputs to inform decision making and the public underpin this data release.

Trustworthiness

T1: Honesty and integrity

People in organisations that release statistics should be truthful, impartial and independent, and meet consistent standards of behaviour that reflect the wider public good.

DLUHC: The data have been provided by local authority officers who work impartially. They have then been collected, checked and published by DLHUC officials, all who comply with the Civil Service Code and the Seven Principles of Public Life.

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T2: Independent decision making and leadership

Organisations should assign a Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics who upholds and advocates the standards of the Code, strives to improve statistics and data for the public good, and challenges their inappropriate use.

DLUHC: The contents of this release have been reviewed by statisticians within the Data, Analytics and Statistics Division within DLUHC who work under the supervision of the department’s Head of Profession for Statistics.

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T3: Orderly release

Organisations should commit to releasing their statistics in an open and transparent manner that promotes public confidence.

DLUHC: This data release has been published as soon as the department is confident that its contents are fit for purpose, with general notice having been given of its publication in a letter from the Secretary of State to relevant local authorities. A similar approach will be taken for any future updates.

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T4: Transparent processes and management

Organisations should have effective business processes and appropriate resources to support their statistical functions and be open about their plans, priorities and progress.

DLUHC: The data have been collected by DLUHC using its well-established data collection systems (LOGASnet in 2016 and then DELTA) as part of the data collection function resourced from the Department’s budget and provided within Data, Analytics and Statistics Division.

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T5: Professional capability

People producing statistics should be appropriately skilled, trained and supported in their roles and professional development.

DLUHC: Both teams involved in producing, checking and presenting the statistics are skilled, trained and supported in their own areas of expertise. The final analysis of their data is checked by professional statisticians.

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T6: Data governance

Organisations should look after people’s information securely and manage data in ways that are consistent with relevant legislation and serve the public good.

DLUHC: The data are processed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018. DLUHC has put in place a thorough governance process to ensure that the data are securely managed and reviewed before release.

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Quality

Q1: Suitable data sources

Statistics should be based on the most appropriate data to meet intended uses. The impact of any data limitations for use should be assessed, minimised and explained.

DLUHC: The data in this release originate from local authorities and have been checked by DLUHC staff, with any unusual-looking figures having been checked. Analysis of responses to the ‘Further information’ question at the end of the form for 2021-22 has revealed further information that has been reflected in the tables – for example, revisions to previous years’ figures. In other cases, local authorities have notified the department by email of revisions needing to be made to earlier years’ figures. In general, revisions are made to make corrections to previous years’ figures, but not to reflect any reviews of registers. Any missing data items are flagged up as such in the tables.

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Q2: Sound methods

Producers of statistics and data should use the best available methods and recognised standards, and be open about their decisions.

DLUHC: Our data collection tools and processes have been tailored and refined to suit the requirements of this programme.

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Q3: Assured quality

Producers of statistics and data should explain clearly how they assure themselves that statistics and data are accurate, reliable, coherent and timely.

DLUHC: All data are quality-assured prior to publication. DLUHC have a series of checks that are performed on the data prior to analysis. It is always DLUHC’s objective to make sure that the quality of data improves and to minimise the number of local authorities for which data are partly or wholly missing at publication.

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Value

V1: Relevance to users

Users of statistics and data should be at the centre of statistical production; their needs should be understood, their views sought and acted on, and their use of statistics supported.

DLUHC: The data have been collected and published to enable individuals and organisations to assess the extent to which individual local authorities are complying with legislation: the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016). The data collections have previously been discussed with local authority representatives within the CLIP (Central Local Information Partnership) Planning Statistics Sub-Group. In particular, the presentation of the England totals in the tables takes account of their observation that individuals and groups can join the register for more than one local authority, so that summing numbers across authorities may be counting some individuals and groups more than once.

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V2: Accessibility

Statistics and data should be equally available to all, not given to some people before others. They should be published at a sufficient level of detail and remain publicly available.

DLUHC: We publish the compiled results as soon as the underlying data has been through all assurance processes. Because the data are categorised as management information this release is not subject to the statutory rules governing pre-release access.

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V3: Clarity and insight

Statistics and data should be presented clearly, explained meaningfully and provide authoritative insights that serve the public good.

DLUHC: Data are clearly presented in each table. Full details of the questions included on the latest (2020-21) data return and relevant definitions are provided as an appendix to this release.

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V4: Innovation and improvement

Statistics producers should be creative and motivated to improve statistics and data, recognising the potential to harness technological advances for the development of all parts of the production and dissemination process.

DLUHC: The current process for collecting the data uses the department’s DELTA system, which was introduced shortly before the first year’s data collection to replace the previous, more fragmented, range of collection methods used by the department, including LOGASNet, Interform and the emailing of spreadsheets.

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V5: Efficiency and proportionality

Statistics and data should be published in forms that enable their reuse. Producers should use existing data wherever possible and only ask for more where justified.

DLUHC: The burden placed on data providers has been considered in the context of the government’s ‘New Burdens’ doctrine. DLUHC has worked to minimise the burden by asking for data readily available to local authorities. Data collection for later years will be carried out only for as long as DLUHC thinks it necessary to carry out further monitoring of local authorities’ compliance with the legislation.

1. Individuals and groups are permitted to make entries on the register of more than one local authority, and so the national totals should be interpreted accordingly. ↩

2. For both types of home, the initial owner of the home has primary input into its final design and layout, through direct involvement for a self-build property, or through a third party for a custom build property. ↩