Data from self-build and custom housebuilding register
The self-build and custom housebuilding register provides us with information about the level of demand for self and custom build within the county.
As the local planning authority we are required to grant enough planning permissions for serviced plots to meet this overall demand. A serviced plot is one that has road access and available connections to electricity, water and sewage, and where available gas (these are also referred to as 'utilities').
The register is split up into different time periods, referred to as 'base periods' and we have three years from the end of each period to grant enough planning permissions to meet that overall demand.
Registrations within the base periods
The Herefordshire county self-build and custom housebuilding register was established in April 2016.
At 30 October 2022, there are 715 individuals and 3 associations entered on the register who are interested in building their own properties.
- First base period: 174 individuals and 1 group (with 3 members) registered (April - 30 October 2016)
- Second base period: 139 individuals registered (31 October 2016 - 30 October 2017)
- Third base period: 76 individuals registered (31 October 2017 - 30 October 2018)
- Fourth base period: 82 individuals registered (31 October 2018 - 30 October 2019)
- Fifth base period: 59 individuals registered (31 October 2019 - 30 October 2020)
- Sixth base period: 111 individuals and 2 associations registered (31 October 2020 - 30 October 2021)
- Seventh base period: 74 individuals and 0 associations registered (31 October 2021 - 30 October 2022)
Permissions granted for self-build and custom build
The number of entries added to the register during a base period gives us information about the level of demand in the county.
At the end of each base period, we have three years in which to give permission for an equivalent number of plots of land, which are suitable for self-build and custom housebuilding, as there are entries for that base period.
For monitoring purposes, we count plots:
- With planning permission that have self or custom build in their description, and
- Those identifying the proposal as self-build on the housing type section of planning application form
- Where there is evidence in the design and access statement/planning statement / other supporting information or correspondence relating to the planning application
- Known to Planning Officers from discussion with agent and or applicant
- Building plots for sale with outline planning permission that provide an opportunity for self and custom house builders to design their home to their own specifications through reserved matters. They are sometimes advertised as opportunity for self-builders.
Section 6 of our Authority Monitory Report provides information about how this demand has been met and general information about the number and preferences of the entries on the register.