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?
We are currently in the process of designing a new portal for you to use and this will be live very soon. In the meantime please email planningpolicy@dover.gov.uk and once the new portal is available we will let you know.
- 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).