Self-build homes
What is self-build and custom house building?
Until recently building your own home was known as ‘self-build’. In November 2011, the term ‘custom build housing’ was introduced in the Government’s Housing Strategy for England.
Self-build
Are generally projects where someone directly organises the design and construction of their own home. This covers a wide range of projects including a traditional DIY self-build home to projects where the self-builder employs someone to build their home for them. Community-led projects can also be defined as self-build.
Custom build
Are generally homes where you work with a developer as an individual or a group to help deliver your own home. The developer may help to find a plot, manage the construction and arrange the finance for your new home. This is more of a hands-off approach but your home will be tailored to match your individual requirements.
The self-build and custom house building register
The Self-Build and Custom House Building Act 2015 places a duty on us to keep a register of people who are interested in acquiring a self- build or custom build plots in their area. This register will help inform us of the level of demand for self- build and custom build plots in Redbridge and enable us to develop housing and planning policies in light of interest for self-build or custom housing plots. The register allows for applications from individuals or from groups of individuals (referred to as associations).
Registration in the register does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified, or become available.
Self-build and Custom built homes are subject to the same requirement for planning permission as other homes, you should check if you require planning permission or other approvals such as Building Regulations approval.
Applying to join the register
Entry to the register is subject to eligibility; individuals and each member of an association must be:
- aged 18 or over
- a British citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland
- seeking 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
If you would like apply to join the Self-Build and Custom House Building register in Redbridge, you can choose to do this
- as an individual, that is on behalf of one household (i.e. a couple or single family) please complete the Individual Registration form
- as an association, that is a group of people or multiple households who want to build together please complete the Association Registration form
Please return the forms to: planning.enquiry@redbridge.gov.uk
We will look at your application and notify you of the outcome in writing, within 28 days of receiving your application.
Amending or deleting an entry to the self-build and custom house building register
If you need to amend or wish to delete an entry in the register please fill in the Amend or delete register form and return it to the following email address: planning.enquiry@redbridge.gov.uk
We will write to you within 28 days of receiving your request for amendment or deletion of the register entry within 28 days of receiving your application.
Use of information
The data provided by you will be used by us to maintain a register of people who are interested in self-build or custom build projects in the Borough and will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
