We are required to keep a register of people and associations who are interested in acquiring serviced plots of land in Rutland for custom or self-build homes.
We are undertaking an assessment of the level of demand for self-build and custom build housing development in the area. Self and custom build have been defined as:
- Self-build - projects where individuals or groups directly organise the design and construction of their new home(s)
- Custom build – project where individuals or groups work with a specialist developer to help deliver their new home(s)
In order to promote self-build and custom housebuilding in Rutland, we have included a draft policy in our Consultation Draft Local Plan Review that would require developers of sites of 20 dwellings or more to supply at least 5% of dwelling plots for sale to self-builders, subject to appropriate demand being identified.
At 31 October 2021, there were 23 people/associations on Part 1 of the self build and customhouse building register. This number has reduced since October 2019 as we have contacted everybody previously on the register in line with GDPR regulations to respond if they would like to remain on the register.
How can I register?
By registering, you will help us to understand the level of interest in this form of development and the type of projects that may be appropriate in Rutland. We are not making a commitment to provide self-build or custom build plots. We do not offer assistance to individual self-build or custom house builders in terms of identifying or securing plots.
The Self Build Portal - includes advice on how to source self-build plots.
You can register your interest as either as an individual or on behalf of an association. You or each member of the association will need to meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 18 or older
- Be a British citizen, a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) state other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland; and
- Meet the local connection test (see below) to be entered onto Part 1 of the register.
- Pay a registration fee to the council of £79
- 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.
If you are applying as a couple or two or more members of one household, there is only one registration fee of £79 to pay but each of you will need to meet the local connection test.
If you are applying on behalf of an association, each member must meet the eligibility criteria set out above, including payment of a £79 registration fee and meeting the local connection test.
What is the local connection test?
The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) enables relevant authorities to include a local connection test. In order to meet the local connection test and be added to Part 1 of the register, you or each member of the association will need to meet one of the criteria below:
- Have lived and/or to have been in paid employment in Rutland for the preceding year, or for a total of three years out of the preceding five years
- Have an immediate family member who has lived in Rutland for the past three years. (Immediate family means a parent, child or sibling. Step and half relatives count as full relatives.)
- Be in the service of the regular or reserve armed forces of the Crown or to have applied within five years of discharge (the test will also be met where another household member meets this test, including cases of bereavement but not lodgers).
How will the information be used?
We are required to give planning permission for enough suitable serviced plots of land to meet the demand for self-build and custom housebuilding arising from Part 1 of our register.
Questions 19-22 on the custom and self-build register application form below are optional. Providing us with this additional information will help us to gain a greater understanding of the nature of demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in Rutland.
We will not pass identifiable information from the register on to anyone outside the Council without the written consent of the person who registered their details.
What happens next?
Once your application has been received we will send you an invoice for payment of the registration fee. We may require you to provide further information or evidence in support of your application. Once payment is received your details will be added to the Self-Build and Custom housebuilding register.
Please read the Privacy Notice at the end of the form which explain how the information you supply to us will be used.
Smaller Service Centres,* Barrowden, Belton-in-Rutland, Caldecott, Essendine, Exton, Glaston, Great Casterton, Langham, Lyddington, Manton, Morcott, North Luffenham, South Luffenham, Tinwell, Whissendine, Wing. Restraint Villages,* Ashwell, Ayston, Barleythorpe, Barrow, Belmesthorpe, Bisbrooke, Braunston-in-Rutland, Brooke, Burley, Clipsham, Egleton, Hambleton, Little Casterton, Lyndon, Pickworth, Pilton, Preston, Ridlington, Seaton, Stoke Dry, Stretton, Teigh, Thistleton, Thorpe by Water, Tickencote, Tixover, Toll Bar, Wardley, Whitwell.
Local Service Centre*, Cottesmore, Edith Weston, Empingham, Greetham, Ketton, Market Overton, Ryhall.
* Refers to the settlement hierarchy as set out in policy CS3 of the Council's Core Strategy Development Plan Document (2009).