Dover District Council is committed to supporting increased access to housing throughout the district. This includes those wishing to build their own homes as either self-build or custom housebuilding projects.
- What is the difference between Self-build and Custom Housebuilding?
Self-build projects are where an individual (or a group of individuals) is involved in building or managing the construction of their homes from beginning to end.
Custom housebuilding is where an individual (or a group of individuals) commissions their home from a developer, making key design and layout decisions, and their home is built ready for them to occupy.
Buying a home off-plan and making minor decisions, such as the design of the kitchen, does not count as custom housebuilding.
- What is a Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Register?
The Council maintains a register to monitor the level of demand for serviced self-building and custom-build plots in the district. The register enables the Council to develop a strategy to ensure sufficient serviced plots are granted sufficient planning permissions to meet the demand identified in on the register.
- Who is eligible to go onto the Register?
You will need to be aged 18 or over, a British citizen (or a national of an EEA State other than the UK or a national of Switzerland) and looking (either alone or with others) to buy a serviced plot[1]of land in Dover District on which to build a house to occupy as your sole or main residence.
- Why is the Register split into Part 1 and Part 2?
The Council is required[2] to meet the demand for serviced plots from people on the register who can demonstrate a local connection to Dover District and have the funding in place to carry out a self-build or custom housebuilding project. This is known as Part 1 of the Register. People without a local connection to Dover District or who cannot provide evidence of their funding will be added to Part 2 of the register.
- What evidence do I need to provide to be included in Part One?
For guidance on local connection regarding eligibility click here and for guidance for Financial Capacity click here
- Are there any fees to go on the Register?
There is an initial administration fee of £30 to be added to either Part One or Part Two of the register and an annual £15 renewal fee for those on Part One.
- How do I apply to go on the register?
Please complete the following registration form: Self Build and Custom House Building Register | Instructions (dover.gov.uk)
Once we have received your registration form and checked all your supporting documents requested we will email you to confirm that you have met the criteria to join either Part 1 or Part 2. We will then send you a link to make payment to confirm your place on the Self Build Register.
- Does the Council publish a list of extant planning permissions for self-build projects?
Yes. Details of planning permissions granted between April and March are published every Autumn in the annual Authority Monitoring Report Monitoring (dover.gov.uk)
Disclaimer: Being on the register does not guarantee that you will be offered a suitable building plot.
Contact
Email planningpolicy@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872 244
1 “serviced plot of land” - a plot that (a) has access to a public highway with connections for electricity, water and waste water, or (b) can be provided with those things in specified circumstances or within a specified period (Housing and Planning Act 2016)
2 Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016).