Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register

All local authorities are required to keep a register of people who are looking for serviced plots of land to develop for self-build and custom-build projects in their area. 

A self-build project is when you play a significant role in the process of designing, planning and building your own home. A Custom-build project tends to be when you work with a specialist developer to create a ‘custom built’ home. A serviced plot of land has access to a public road and connections for electricity, water and waste.

The information on the Register helps us to understand demand for self-build and custom-build plots in Oxford. We will use this information when reviewing our planning and housing policies.

Please note: We are aware that a number of other organisations offer to register your interest in self-build or custom housebuilding, however most of these organisations do not pass on the information to us. You can only join Oxford’s official Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register by completing our application forms and returning them yourself directly to us.

If you are interested in building your own home, the Planning Portal website provides some useful guidance.

Who can join the register

To be added to Oxford’s Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register you must be:

• aged 18 or over
• a British citizen, a national of a EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland
• seeking (either alone or with others) a serviced plot of land in the city to build a house to live in as your only or main residence

Local Connection Test Criteria

In order to demonstrate sufficient local connection, it is recommended that individuals and associations of individuals should meet at least one of the following local connection criteria (consistent with the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Regulations 2016) to be eligible for entry onto Part A of the Register:

Residency - you have either lived within Oxford City Council administrative area (Oxford) continuously for at least 2 years, or for at least 3 of the last 5 years. This should be evidenced by, for example Council Tax statements, lease agreements utility bills or any other information that demonstrates residency. A local connection through residence is not established in situations including, where the applicant is: in prison, a probation hospital or similar accommodation, detained in Oxford under the Mental Health Act; living in any form of accommodation considered “temporary” in nature, including hospital accommodation and other forms of supported accommodation.

Employment - you are currently employed in Oxford and have been employed in Oxford for a minimum period of 3 out of the last 5 years. Employment must be more than 16 hours per week or, where working hours fluctuate, an average of more than 16 hours per week taken over 12 months. The work is not of short-term, marginal or temporary nature. Employment ancillary to work in another District outside of Oxford and voluntary work is excluded. This should be evidenced by, for example, pay slips, contract of employment or a letter from the employer on headed paper that includes your name and their address.

Or you are currently self-employed and primarily based in Oxford with an on-going viable venture for a minimum period of 3 out of the last 5 years. To qualify as self-employed, you must be more than 16 hours per week or, where working hours fluctuate, an average of more than 16 hours per week taken over 12 months.

Family connection - you have an immediate family member who has lived in Oxford for the past 5 years. Immediate family are defined as a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister or adult child).  This should be evidenced, for example with Council Tax statements or utility bills from an address in the district, accompanied by a statement setting out your relationship to the person named on the bills.

Armed Forces - you are currently serving in the armed forces (within the meaning of Section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006) or have left the services within the last 5 years.  Evidence of armed forces service (within 5 years of discharge) such as a military ID card or military discharge record, including date of leaving services.

Associations and Groups

An association is eligible for entry onto Part A of the register if each member of the association meets the eligibility requirements for an individual set out above. Only in exceptional circumstances where the vast majority of members meet the requirements may an exception be made due to the complex nature of cohousing groups. An application can be refused if there is insufficient information or evidence provided. For associations, appropriate evidence must be provided for each individual. If the requirements are not met or cannot be demonstrated then an applicant can still be entered onto Part B of the register.

Register your interest in self-build and custom housebuilding

To register your interest in self-build or custom housebuilding in Oxford, please complete the relevant form: 

Download the Individual register application form.

Download the Association register application form.

Completed forms can be sent to us using the details at the bottom of the page.

When we receive your form we will check that you meet the relevant criteria. We will let you know whether or not you have been added to Oxford’s Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register within 28 days.

Please note: We are aware that a number of other organisations offer to register your interest in self-build or custom housebuilding, however most of these organisations do not pass on the information to us. You can only join Oxford’s official Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register by completing the above forms and returning them yourself directly to us at Oxford City Council.

Update or delete information on the Register

It is important that the information on Oxford’s Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register is up-to-date. 

Individuals

If your contact information changes or you would like to be removed from the Register, please notify us in writing, by either email or letter using the contact details at the bottom of the page.

Associations or groups

If members join or leave your association, the lead contact should notify us of this in writing. The lead contact should also notify us in writing if the contact information for the association or lead contact changes.

New members

If new members join the association, the lead contact should notify us of this in writing. The written notification must include the following information:

• the name of the association
• total number of serviced plots required by the association (taking into consideration membership changes)
• the name, address, date of birth and nationality of each new member of the association
• confirmation that each new member of the association is seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land within Oxford City Council’s boundary to build a house to occupy as their sole or main residence

Removing members

If people leave the association, the lead contact should notify us of this in writing. The written notification must include the following information:

• the name of the association
• total number of serviced plots required by the association (taking into consideration membership changes)
• the name and address of each member who has left the association

Written notifications can be sent by email or by letter using the contact details below.