Self-build and custom housebuilding

Self Build Register

The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty on councils to keep a register of individuals and community groups locally who want to acquire land for self-build homes and to have regard to these registers in carrying out its planning function.

We are in the process of creating an online register of interest which will enable the Council to gather evidence to see if there is a demand for this type of development within the borough. If the Council then becomes aware of land that may be suitable for self build it can highlight this register to the landowner/ agent.

Please be aware that self build homes are subject to the same requirement for planning permission as other homes.

Registering your interest in self and custom build

To be included on the register, please complete the Self-Buld Registration Form below and return it to planningpolicy@scarborough.gov.uk

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PLEASE READ

The Council is committed to helping local residents find an alternative mechanism for solving their housing problems - one such way is self-build. By completing this form, you will help us find out more about the demand for self-build plots in the Borough, where people would like their plot to be and what they would like to build.

We shall use the information to explore ways in which the Council could assist by linking available development plots with the demand for self-build. Registration does not, however, guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or become available.

If you wish to be entered onto the Self-build Register there are two options. These are Part 1 and Part 2. To be entered onto Part 1 of the Register you must:

1) Meet Local Eligibility Criteria (footnote 1). To meet this you must be able to demonstrate that:

a) you have been living in Scarborough Borough for three consecutive years; or
b) you have previously lived in Scarborough Borough for a period of three consecutive years within the past 10 years; or
c) you are currently employed in Scarborough Borough and have been for the past 12 consecutive months (footnote 2); or
d) you are currently self-employed, with an ongoing viable venture where work is within the Borough, and has been for the past 12 consecutive months.

2) Meet a Financial Solvency Test to demonstrate you have the ability to purchase a plot. This will be through the submission of either:

a) details of savings equivalent or greater to the average price per plot (to be defined) that could definitely be used for purchase of land; or
b) in principle loan agreement for the purchasing of the land.

3) Pay a fee of £50 to be entered onto the Register and a subsequent annual fee of £25.

If you do not meet the above criteria or do not wish to pay a fee you can still be entered onto Part 2 of the Register.

The Council does not have a duty to meet the needs of persons on Part 2, however, you may still be notified of available plots and opportunities and will be notified of updates to the outstanding planning application register (this provides details of small sites that have planning consent but are, as yet, undelivered).

footnotes:
(1) Regular armed forces are exempt from this stipulation including once they have left the armed forces for a period of years (see Regs 5(3)).
(2) Self-employment must be more than 16 hours per week and where working hours fluctuate, an average will be taken over 12 months.

By signing up, you will help us find out more about the demand for custom build plots within the borough, where people would like their plot to be and the type of house that they would like to build.

We shall use the information to explore ways in which it might be possible for people and plots to be brought together. Registration does not however guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified, or become available.

We will not pass identifiable information from the Register onto anyone outside the Council without the written consent of the person who registered their details.

If you require any further information, please contact the Planning Policy team via email at Planningpolicy@scarborough.gov.uk or telephone 01723 232480.