Self-build and custom-build property register

Self build and custom build homes are homes which are built by, or on behalf of, a landowner. We maintain a register to monitor how many in Greater Cambridge are looking for land to use for self build homes, and use this information to show the local demand for self builds. 

Who can join the Self Build and Custom-build Register‑Build and Custom‑Build Register

You can join the register if you:

• are aged 18 or over
• are a British citizen, an EEA national, or a Swiss national
• want to buy a serviced plot of land (on your own or with others) so you can build a home to live in as your main residence

How the register works

The register has two parts:

• Part 1 - for people or organisations who meet all the eligibility criteria and meet the local connection test
• Part 2 – for people or organisations who meet all the eligibility criteria except the local connection test

There is no direct benefit to you as an individual applicant in being on Part 1 instead of Part 2.

Being on either part of the register does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be found or made available.

Local connection requirement

To meet the local connection test, you must meet at least one of the following:

• You live, or have recently lived, in the South Cambridgeshire District or Cambridge City area for 6 of the last 12 months, or 3 of the last 5 years
• You currently work in South Cambridgeshire or Cambridge City
• You have an immediate family member (parent, child, or sibling – or another close family relationship) who lives in South Cambridgeshire or Cambridge City
• You are serving in the regular or reserve armed forces, or you apply within 5 years of leaving service, and you would have met one of the above criteria when you started your service

Registering your interest

We hold an active register for people interested in custom and self build properties within Greater Cambridge, so we can identify the number and location of plots of land required.

Self and custom build register

As a local authority, we are obliged from the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 to maintain a self and custom build register.

This is a register of the number of individuals, and associations of individuals, who are seeking land in Greater Cambridge to use for either self or custom house-building. This is also used to demonstrate local demand for self builds in Greater Cambridge.

Whether a home is a self-build or custom build depends on if the initial homeowner will have primary input into its final design and layout. If the homeowner will have final say on all decisions, it is self-build. If some choices are already made for the homeowner, it is custom build. Homes considered to be self or custom built should be the main residence of the initial homeowner. For instance, it should not be used as a rental property.

Local authorities will then give suitable developments permission to meet the demonstrated demand. This is measured against an annual ‘base period’.

The first base period began on the day on which the register was created and ended on 30 October 2016. Each following base period is 12 months long, beginning immediately after the previous base period ends (running from 31 October to 30 October).

Relevant authorities have 3 years from the end of a base period to grant entries from that same base period permission for an equivalent number of plots of land which are suitable for self-builds and custom builds.

Further information and guidance is available at the following links:

• Homes and Communities Agency
• National Custom and Self Build Association
• Self Build Portal
• Build Store

Self and custom build in Greater Cambridge

Our goal is to meet the need demonstrated by our register, and deliver self and custom build opportunities in suitable locations in Greater Cambridge.

We work to identify suitable plots of our own land where possible to install services, and market these to register applicants. We also invite private companies to notify us of other plots and development opportunities which will be advertised to people on the register.

The table below shows the number of people added to the register for each base period and the number of planning permissions granted within 3 years from the end of each base period.