South Norfolk self build and custom housebuilding register

South Norfolk Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Register

The council has a register for people seeking a plot of land in South Norfolk on which they can build their own home. This is in accordance with the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and related regulations.

Register your interest in custom and self build

Historically the administration of the South Norfolk register was outsourced to the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk. The register was free to join and had no local connection eligibility test. South Norfolk Council have recently reviewed the operation of their register and from the 31 October 2024 a new register will be in place that is administered directly by the council.

To apply to be on the new South Norfolk Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding register please complete the registration form. You will receive an email acknowledgement when you have been registered.

Who can register?

South Norfolk Council operates a two-part register as allowed for in the regulations.

To be eligible to go on the main part of the register (Part 1) you must be:

• Aged 18 or over; and
• A British citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland; and
• 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 your sole or main residence.

And meet at least one of the following local connection eligibility criteria:

• Residency – have lived in South Norfolk for 3 of the previous 10 years.
• Employment – have a current contract of permanent employment where the job requires residency in South Norfolk
• Family Connection – have a family member (parent, adult child or adult sibling) who lives in and has lived in South Norfolk for a continuous period of at least 5 years
• Military Forces – has been in service within the last 5 years.

If you meet the first three criteria but none of the local connection eligibility tests you can still be entered on Part 2 of the Register.

For groups or associations, each member must fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Fees and payment

For entry onto the register there is an initial registration fee of £50 (applicable to Part 1 and 2). This is payable upon completion of the online registration form.

The monitoring period for custom and self-build runs from the 31 October – 30 October each year and to remain on Part 1 of the register a renewal fee of £50 will be required annually on the 31 October and we will send an email reminder shortly before this date. There is no annual renewal fee for those on Part 2 of the Register.

Please note that the Part 1 renewal fee is due annually on 31 October irrespective of the date you initially joined the register. For example, if you join part way through the monitoring year, for example in August, you will still be liable for the renewal charge in October that same calendar year to remain on the register for the next year.

The fee is to cover the administration costs associated with maintaining the register.

Why register

Joining the register will indicate demand for custom and self-build housing in South Norfolk. The government has issued regulations which require us to grant enough planning permissions over a three-year period to match the number of people on the register. The monitoring periods for custom and self-build end on the 30 October each year. The number joining will affect our duties in respect of future three-year periods.

However, please be aware that joining the register will not guarantee the availability of a suitable plot. It is not a ‘waiting list’ for self-build plots and you will not routinely be notified of potential plots. Equally, inclusion on the register does not mean that an application for planning permission for self-build would be successful.

The council do not own land which can be used to provide plots for custom build. However, where possible we will provide information which might be useful, which may include details of custom build opportunities which come to our attention. Any building plots that do become available may not be suitable for people on the register because of cost or location.

We will also allow landowners and developers to analyse the register where they are interested in assessing the potential interest in serviced plots. No personal details will be disclosed.

How will information from the register be used

We will not pass identifiable information from the register on to anyone outside South Norfolk Council without the written consent of the person who registered their details.

If you would like to know more about the custom and self-build project, or have any queries about registration please email selfbuild.snc@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk .

Further advice on proposals for custom and self build homes

For further information on pursuing a proposal for custom or self build housing please see the council’s advice note. Please note that since the publication of this advice note the South Norfolk Site Specific Allocations and Policies Document has been superseded by adoption of the Greater Norwich Local Plan in March 2024.

The planning portal has created a guide on planning a self-build home.