On 1 April 2016 the statutory requirement to maintain a register of all persons and associations interested in acquiring serviced building plots under the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 will come into force. In advance of this the Government has published its draft planning guidance setting out the role of local authorities, eligibility to join the register, and also providing clarification as to the ‘duties’ relating to the register.
The draft guidance outlines that to be eligible to join the register for Self-build and Custom Housebuilding plots, applicants must be aged 18 or older and be either a British citizen/ a national of an EEA State / or a national of Switzerland.
With regards to planning, the draft guidance states that the registers will form a material consideration both in the determination of planning applications and in the preparation of Local Plan documents. Similarly, the housing function of local authorities should also have regard to the need for Self-build and Custom Housebuilding when preparing their local housing strategies and in developing plans for new housing on land owned by the local housing authority, including the disposal of land within their ownership.
If you would like further advice or information about Self-build and Custom Housebuilding then please contact us.