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"Self-build" refers to projects where individuals or groups directly organise the design and construction of new homes. Custom housebuilding involves individuals or groups working with a specialist developer to deliver new homes that meet their specific aspirations and needs.
The government believes that these types of development can play an important role in delivering high-quality housing that meets the needs of all sections of the community. This is a central goal of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The Council is seeking to provide sites for self-build and custom-build housing through its emerging Site Allocations Plan.
The assessment set out in this Briefing Note has been produced by SDC's Planning Policy Team to inform the consideration and determination of planning applications for schemes comprising SCB dwellings. It is based on known data on the demand for and the supply of such plots in Stratford-on-Avon District as at 1 April 2022.
The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding (Register) Regulations 2016 oblige all district councils in England to keep a register of individuals (and associations of individuals) who are seeking to acquire serviced plots of land in their area. A plot is deemed 'serviced' if it has access to a public highway and connections for electricity, water and waste water.
The most recent summary of the register data was published as of 31 March 2022.
The Authority is currently reviewing Self and Custom Build supply and demand data and won't be publishing further analysis until such time as that the review is complete. Monthly Self and Custom Build registers will continue to be published.
1. You are eligible to sign up to the register as an individual if you meet the three criteria below:
a. aged 18 or over;
b. a British citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland; and
c. seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in Stratford-on-Avon District to build a house that you will occupy as your sole or main residence.
2. An association or group can sign up to the register if each member meets the three eligibility requirements laid out above.
To sign up to the register complete a self-build registration form:
Local authorities are required to give planning permission to enough suitable serviced plots to meet the demand for self-building and custom housebuilding in their area (see the "What is the register?" section above for the definition of a "serviced plot").
There are various ways in which the district council can offer opportunities for self-build housing schemes. It can also grant planning permission for schemes that come forward through planning applications, subject to sites being in appropriate locations and suitable for development. Plots are expected to be provided on both new settlements to be developed in the district, at Gaydon/Lighthorne Heath and Long Marston Airfield.
In addition, the preparation of the Site Allocations Plan provides an opportunity for landowners who wish to promote self-build schemes to advise the district council of sites that are available. Consideration will then be given to whether a site is appropriate to be identified in the Plan for this purpose. If you wish to submit a site to be considered as an allocation specifically for a self-build development please complete our self-build and custom housebuilding call for sites form.
In addition to all other requirements, applications for Self-Build schemes must be accompanied by a ‘Design Code' (Plot Passport) or similar which sets out design principles for the site and be clear how all matters outside the individual plots (see Local List) will be delivered. Our self-build housing guidance provides a list of matters that should be considered in order to achieve good design.
You can find more information and advice on self/custom build homes at the following National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) websites:
Which have produced an interactive step-by-step-guide on building your own house.
Please note that the District Council takes no responsibility for the content of other websites.
You can contact the Planning Policy team on 01789 260399 or email planning.policy@stratford-dc.gov.uk.
This page can be accessed quickly using the short link via www.stratford.gov.uk/selfbuild