Research and analysis

Data release: Self-build and custom housebuilding data

Published 21 February 2025

Applies to England

In this release:

Between 31 October 2022 and 30 October 2023, data reported by local authorities shows that:

• 4,849 new individuals joined the register and 2,436 were removed, a net increase of 2,413

• 64,233 individuals were on the register as at 30 October 2023, an increase of 4% from 31 October 2022^{[footnote 1]}

• 81 new groups joined the register and 28 were removed, a net increase of 53

• 747 groups were on the register as at 30 October 2023, an increase of 8% from 31 October 2022^{[footnote 2]}

• 5,182 planning permissions were granted for serviced plots suitable for self and custom build, a decrease of 18% from the previous year

Release date: 21 February 2025

Date of next release: Summer 2025

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

Media enquiries: 0303 444 1209 NewsDesk@communities.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 3]} 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.

For the first time for 2022-23, separate information has been collected for numbers of entries i) added to and ii) removed from the register for each of:

• total number of individuals
• total number of groups

• individuals on Part 1 of the Register

• individuals on Part 2 of the Register
• groups on Part 1 of the Register
• groups on Part 2 of the Register

In the tables, 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. The data for 2021-22 was published on 31 March 2023. This update also covers 2022-23 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 2022-23, these comprise the following questions:

• 5(a). How much do you charge?
• 5(b). Is it a one-off charge, annual charge, or both?
• 6. Beyond the minimum requirement of holding a webpage, what is your local authority actively doing to publicise your self- and custom-build register?
• 7(a). Any further details of the type of opportunities, number and frequency of self-build and custom build housebuilding opportunities being proactively communicated to people on the register.
• 8(i). Further details or any other supporting information on any actions taken when undertaking housing, planning and regeneration functions as recorded at questions 8(a) to (h).
• 9. Any additional comments on the operation of the self and custom build legislation that you think might be helpful for us to read.

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 4]} 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’^{[footnote 5]} 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 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.

Contact them with feedback at custombuild@communities.gov.uk.

Appendix 1: Questions, notes and definitions for the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding form for 2022-23

1 (a). Please fill in the following table covering the eighth base period (31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023) for individuals.

• Total at start of period (31 October 2022)
• Entries added during period
• Entries removed during period
• Total at end of period (30 October 2023)

1 (b). Please fill in the following table covering the eighth base period (31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023) for groups.

• Total at start of period (31 October 2022)
• Entries added during period
• Entries removed during period
• Total at end of period (30 October 2023)

2. Have you introduced a local connection test? [y/n]

2 (a) When was the test introduced?

2 (b). Please fill in the following table covering the eighth base period (31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023) for individuals on Part 1 of the Register

• Total at start of period (31 October 2022)
• Entries added during period
• Entries removed during period
• Total at end of period (30 October 2023)

2 (c). Please fill in the following table covering the eighth base period (31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023) for individuals on Part 2 of the Register

• Total at start of period (31 October 2022)
• Entries added during period
• Entries removed during period
• Total at end of period (30 October 2023)

2 (d). Please fill in the following table covering the eighth base period (31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023) for groups on Part 1 of the Register

• Total at start of period (31 October 2022)
• Entries added during period
• Entries removed during period
• Total at end of period (30 October 2023)

2(e). Please fill in the following table covering the eighth base period (31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023) for groups on Part 2 of the Register

• Total at start of period (31 October 2022)
• Entries added during period
• Entries removed during period
• Total at end of period (30 October 2023)

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 asks how many entries were on the register at the beginning of base period 8 (31 October 2022) and how many entries were on the register at the end of the period (30 October 2023). If possible, we would like a breakdown of how many entries were added and how many removed during the period.

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.

Question 2: 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.

Question 2 asks how many entries were on the Part 1 and Part 2 of the register at the beginning of base period 8 (31 October 2022) and how many entries were on the register at the end of the period (30 October 2023). If possible, we would like a breakdown of how many entries were added and how many removed during the period.

3. How many planning permissions for serviced plots suitable for self and custom build have been granted between 31 October 2022 and 30 October 2023

Question 3 asks how many planning permissions for serviced plots suitable for self and custom build were granted during the most recent base period (31 October 2022–30 October 2023).

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.

The first base period started on the day on which the register (which meets the requirement of the 2015 Act) was established and ended on 30 October 2016. Each subsequent base period is the period of 12 months beginning immediately after the end of the previous base period. Subsequent base periods will therefore run from 31 October to 30 October each year.

At the end of each base period, relevant authorities have 3 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 methods a relevant authority may wish to consider to determine if an application, permission or development is for self-build or custom housebuilding:

• whether developers have identified that self-build 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

• whether a planning application references self-build or custom build and it is clear that the initial owner of the homes will have primary input into its final design and layout

• whether a Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106 exemption has been granted for a particular development

A relevant authority must be satisfied that development permissions being counted meet the legislative requirements.

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

a. When was it introduced?
b. How many applicants failed the test?

Question 4 is asking if you have introduced a financial viability test and, if so, when it was introduced and how many applicants have failed the test. 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.

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 of these tests only where they have a strong justification for doing so. Authorities are advised to ensure that they provide clear information to individuals and groups on the rationale underpinning local eligibility tests.

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.

5. Have you introduced a charge for entry onto the register? [yes/no] (if no go to Q6)

a. How much do you charge? [£]
b. Is it a one-off charge, annual charge or both? [tick boxes for One-off, Annually, Both]

Question 5 is asking if a relevant authority has introduced a charge for entry onto the Register and, if so, how much it is and how often it is made.

Relevant authorities can only set fees on a cost recovery basis. Any fees charged must therefore be proportionate, reflect genuine costs incurred, should not act as a deterrent for people to be entered on or remain on the register and should not be viewed as a mechanism to manage demand. Authorities are advised to provide a transparent rationale for why they are charging, and how charges have been arrived at, and to review this to ensure costs remain proportionate and fair.

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.

6. 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, it is recommended that relevant authorities hold and regularly update a webpage that is dedicated to self-build and custom housebuilding.

Relevant authorities are encouraged to consider additional innovative methods of publicising their register to increase awareness of it such as hosting events. Relevant authorities are encouraged to publish in their Authority Monitoring Report and the self and custom build section of their website, headline data on the demand for self-build and custom housebuilding revealed by their register and other sources. This can support development opportunities for self-build and custom housebuilding by increasing awareness among landowners, builders and developers of the level and nature of demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in the local area.

Authorities may wish to consider using a range of other communication approaches to ensure that their registers are publicised locally; for example through local radio, newspapers and social media, neighbourhood forums, parish and town councils and other opportunities.

The types of information relevant authorities are advised to publish (while having regard to data protection obligations) include:

• the number of individuals and associations on their register

• the number of serviced plots of land sought

• preferred locations in a local area, plot sizes and type of housing intended to be built, where this information has been requested by the authority and provided by an applicant

Publishing data such as the numbers of individuals or groups who have successfully acquired plots in a local area can be a useful way of demonstrating progress locally to meet demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in an area.

7. Are you proactively communicating self-build and custom housebuilding opportunities to the people on your register? [yes/no] (if no, go to Q8)

‘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.

8. Further to your duty to have regard to the self and custom build legislation when undertaking your housing, planning and regenerative functions, have you undertaken any of the following:

• Local Plan policy - included general support for custom and self-build?
• Local Plan policy - promoted custom and self-build as part of housing mix policy
• Local Plan policy - adopted a percentage policy for self and custom build at larger sites?
• Introduced supplementary planning policies/guidance? [y/n]
• Introduced consideration as part of land allocations, disposals and acquisitions? [y/n]
• Specifically supported identified projects? [y/n]
• Taken action through Housing Strategy? [y/n]
• Adopted Neighbourhood Plans which incorporate policies on self and custom build? [y/n]
• 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.

See further guidance on the regulations.

Data has previously been used by the Department to build up a national picture of how local authorities are taking forward self and custom build and complying with the requirements and reported to Ministers. In addition to this we may now choose to publish headline data, on the demand for self-build and custom housebuilding revealed by register numbers. This can support development opportunities for self-build and custom housebuilding by increasing awareness among landowners, builders and developers of the level and nature of demand for self-build and custom housebuilding across England.

Q9: Please use the notes box [below] to supply us with any additional comments on the operation of the self and custom build legislation that you think might be helpful for us to read.

Question 9 allows you to provide us with any additional comments on the operation of the self and custom build legislation.

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.

MHCLG: The data have been provided by local authority officers who work impartially. They have then been collected, checked and published by MHCLG 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.

MHCLG: The contents of this release have been reviewed by statisticians within the Data, Analytics and Statistics Division within MHCLG 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.

MHCLG: This data release has been published as soon as the Department is confident that its contents are fit for purpose.

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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.

MHCLG: The data have been collected by MHCLG 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.

MHCLG: 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.

MHCLG: The data are processed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018. MHCLG 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.

MHCLG: The data in this release originate from local authorities and have been checked by MHCLG staff, with any unusual-looking figures having been checked. Analysis of responses to the ‘Further information’ question at the end of the form has revealed further information that has been reflected in the tables – e.g. 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 addition, internal inconsistencies within figures reported by local authorities for 2022-23 were queried by the department, resulting in revisions in nearly all cases. Overall, revisions to previously published figures or corrections to not-previously-published 2022-23 figures were made for almost sixty local authorities for the February 2025 publication. 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 shown 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.

MHCLG: 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.

MHCLG: All data are quality-assured prior to publication. MHCLG has a series of checks that are performed on the data prior to analysis. It is always MHCLG’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.

MHCLG: 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.

MHCLG: 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.

MHCLG: Data are clearly presented in each table. Full details of the questions included on the latest (2022-23) 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.

MHCLG: 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.

MHCLG: The burden placed on data providers has been considered in the context of the government’s ‘New Burdens’ doctrine. MHCLG 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 MHCLG thinks it necessary to carry out further monitoring of local authorities’ compliance with the legislation.

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1. The percentage change figures quoted are calculated from figures submitted on the 2022-23 return, which differ from figures submitted by some local authorities on the 2021-22 return. This is due to a combination of inconsistency in reporting and some revisions to previously-submitted figures having been made by the relevant local authorities. ↩

2. Footnote 1 applies here too. ↩

3. 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. ↩

4. 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. ↩

5. Section 123 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 amended the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 to specify that only planning permission that is specifically for self-build and custom housebuilding will count towards meeting a relevant authority’s statutory duty. This base period relevant to this data collection covers the period from October 2022 - October 2023 so predates section 123 which came into force on 31 January 2024. ↩