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Custom and Self-Build Register Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Custom and Self-Build Register?

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 impose a duty upon relevant authorities to maintain a register of individuals, and associations of individuals, who are seeking to acquire serviced plots of land in their area to build homes for their occupation.

Registering on South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils’ self-build and custom-build register is intended to help the council assess demand for this type of housing locally and inform its work on shaping future housing policy for the districts.

I am already on South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horses Custom and Self-Build Register. Will I be able to remain on the Register after 2 December 2024?

Your entry will be maintained on the Register until 2 December 2024. After this date, the existing register will be replaced by the new two-part register. To apply for the new two-part register, you will need to complete and submit a new application form. Your application will be assessed against the revised eligibility requirements, and you will be subject to payment of the administration fee.

What are the new eligibility criteria for entering the register?

In October 2016, changes were made to the Self-build regulations to allow authorities to set local eligibility criteria (a local connection test). To use local connection tests, authorities are required to divide their registers into two parts. Part 1 is for those individuals and associations who meet both the local connection test and the national eligibility as set out in the regulations. Part 2 is for those individuals and associations who do not satisfy the local connection test, but who meet the national eligibility criteria. South Oxfordshire District Council decided to set a local connection test to ensure that Part 1 of the register is a reasonable reflection of the demand for serviced plots of land in South Oxfordshire. The Council’s duty to grant sufficient development permissions to meet the demand only applies to Part 1 of the register. The local connection test is set out below.

  • South Oxfordshire District is your current and permanent residence of choice, for at least six months immediately prior to making this application or;
  • South Oxfordshire District is your previous residence of choice for either six months out of the last twelve or three out of the last five years or;
  • South Oxfordshire District is the current residence of choice of close family member for at least five years immediately prior to making this application (family members are defined as parent, adult children and siblings) or;
  • You have current, permanent employment in South Oxfordshire District that is at least 16 hours per week or;
  • You are an active member (or retired within the last 5 years) of the Armed Forces

For entry onto Part 1 of the Register, you will need to:

  • be aged 18 or older
  • be a British citizen, a national of an EEA (European Economic Area) State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland; and
  • be seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in the relevant authority’s area to build a house to occupy as that individual’s sole or main residence.
  • be able to confirm that you meet the local connection test.

For entry onto Part 2 of the Register, you will need to:

  • be aged 18 or older
  • be a British citizen, a national of an EEA (European Economic Area) State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland; and
  • be seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in the relevant authority’s area to build a house to occupy as that individual’s sole or main residence.
  • be unable to confirm that you meet the local connection test.

You will also be required to pay the £5 administration fee to enter the register (either Part 1 or Part 2) and pay the subsequent £5 fee to remain on the register after the first-year elapses (the latter is required for Part 1 entries only).

What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2 of the register? How do I know which one I qualify for?

Part 1 entries are those who satisfy all the eligibility criteria, including the local connection test (see question 3 above).

Part 2 entries are those who satisfy all eligibility criteria, but not the local connection test (see question 3 above).

What are the council’s obligations with regards to entries on the register?

The councils have some legal duties that apply to both parts of the register, and some that only apply to Part 1.

The councils must have regard to both parts of the register when carrying out its planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions. This means the council has a duty to consider the total number of entries on the register (i.e. Part 1 and Part 2) when drafting planning policy documents (e.g. The Joint Local Plan), developing plans for regeneration or deciding to dispose of Council owned land.

The councils must grant sufficient development permissions for serviced plots of land suitable for custom or self-build projects to meet demand from Part 1 of the register only.

How do I apply to enter the register?

Please go to our dedicated Self-Build webpage to complete your application online:

Once we have received your application and payment, we will confirm that you have been registered and whether you have been placed on Part 1 or Part 2 of the Register.

When can I apply to enter the register?

You can apply at any time. Once we have verified your eligibility and you’ve paid the required fee, you will be able to remain on the register for one calendar year. You will be notified 28 days before your entry is due to expire to allow you to re-apply should you wish to do so.

What happens to my personal details and copy of personal documentation that I send to the council as part of my application?

The council will process your personal details in line with the most up-to-date data protection regulations.

Please see South Oxfordshire District Councils Privacy Policy.

How do I pay the administration fee to enter the register?

Once you have submitted your application form together with the required supporting documentation, we will confirm if you are eligible to enter the register. If we have considered your application eligible, we will then send you a confirmation email with a link to the council’s payment portal.

The email will contain a reference number which is unique to you and is linked with your application.

Please make sure your email address is entered correctly as this is the address you will receive a confirmation email for your payment.

Is the register publicly available?

No. The register is maintained off-line by council officers and the details you have shared with us as part of your application form will not be made public. The councils do use anonymised data to report on Custom and Self-Build demand figures through their respective Authority Monitoring Reports.

Will I be given a plot to carry out my custom or self-build project once I’m on the register?

No. People or groups on the register will not be offered any land to build their own home as a result, nor is registration a guarantee of the granting of planning permission for a self-build or custom-build property within the districts. The register is intended to help the Councils assess demand for this type of housing locally and inform its work on shaping future housing policy for the districts.

I have paid the £5 administration fee, but I have changed my mind and want to leave the register. Can I get a refund?

Once you have submitted your £5 fee payment, you will remain on the register for a full calendar year from the date we approved your application. We can remove your entry from the register upon request however please note we are unable to provide a refund once the payment has gone through as the fee is used to cover the administration costs of considering your application.