Self-build and custom-build homes

The Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty on local authorities to keep a register of people and groups of people who are interested in self-build or custom-build projects in their areas.

We have established a register to help determine the level of demand for self-build and custom-build homes in Rushmoor. 

About self-build and custom-build homes

Self-build and custom build describe situations where individuals or groups are involved in creating their own home. 

Self-build projects are defined as those where an individual or a group of individuals directly organises the design and construction of their new home.  Although this includes the 'traditional' self-build home where a self-builder manages the design and build process and completes much of the building work, self-building does not necessarily mean picking up bricks.  Self-builders may commission an architect or builder, organise a project, or do some of the construction or finishing-off work.  Most self-builders will be involved in the creative side of the process.

Custom build describes a more 'hands-off' approach where a specialist developer co-ordinates the process for the people involved to deliver a tailor-made home.

From 6 August 2026, self-build and custom-build homes no longer benefit from a specific statutory Biodiversity Net Gain exemption.  Our Biodiversity SPD page provides guidance on how you should take account of biodiversity as part of the development process, including statutory Biodiversity Net Gain.  The government also provides guidance on how to comply with Biodiversity Net Gain legal obligations.

Register your interest in self-build or custom-build homes

You can register your interest in self-build or custom-build homes, using our online form below.  Please read our applicant guidance note before starting your application.

Important information

The register is divided into two parts:

• Applicants who meet all the eligibility criteria, including the local connection test, will be entered into part 1 of the register.
• Applicants who do not meet the local connection test but who meet the other eligibility criteria will be entered into part 2 of the register.

If you are a couple or a household, please apply as an individual.  Please nominate one person as the 'lead contact' whose name and address will be included in the register.

If you are applying as an individual, you will need to provide documents that show proof of your age and nationality.  If you have a local connection to Rushmoor, you will also need to provide evidence of this.

If you are submitting details of an association, you will need to provide details (name, address, date of birth and nationality) for each member of the association.  You will also need to provide documents that show proof of age and nationality for each member.  If all members have a local connection to Rushmoor, you will also need to provide evidence of this.  Association applicants will only be entered into part 1 of the register if all members meet the local connection requirements.

Please make sure you have the required documentation ready to upload before you begin the form.  Guidance on acceptable documentation is available in our applicant guidance note.

Fees

A fee is required to join the register.  You must pay the required fee within 21 days of being notified that your application has been successful.  We will only add your details to the register once we have received the appropriate fee.

Registration lasts for one year.  Prior to the one-year anniversary of your joining the register, we will contact you to ask if you wish to remain on the register.  If you are on part 1 of the register, you will need to pay an annual fee to stay on the register for another year.  We are unable to charge an annual fee to those who wish to remain on part 2 of the register for another year.

Details of fees are set out below:

The above fees are to cover the costs of processing your application and administering the register.  If you pay a fee but later change your mind about being on the register, you will not be able to get a refund.

Who can register

Please only register if you, or all members of your association, are:

• Aged 18 or over,
• A British citizen, a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) state,* or a national of Switzerland, and
• Seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in Rushmoor to build a house to occupy as your sole or main home.

*European Economic Area (EEA) states include the European Union member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 

The European Union member states include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Demonstrating a local connection

To demonstrate a local connection, individual applicants and all members of an association should meet at least one of the following:

• Currently live in Rushmoor and have lived here continuously for at least one year from the date of the application.
• Have lived in Rushmoor for three out of the last five years from the date of the application.
• Currently work in Rushmoor and have been employed here continuously for at least one year from the date of the application (the employment must be for no less than 16 hours a week, must be on the basis of a permanent contract or fixed-term contract, and excludes voluntary and unpaid work).
• Currently self-employed and have been continuously for at least one year from the date of the application, primarily in Rushmoor, with an ongoing viable venture which has a registered business address in Rushmoor.
• A close family relative currently lives in Rushmoor and has done so for at least five years from the date of the application (close family relative includes parents and grandparents, and children, grandchildren and siblings aged 18 or over).
• Currently serving in the regular armed forces of the Crown or have served in the regular armed forces of the Crown within five years of the date of the application (within the meaning of Section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006).

Applicants who do not meet the local connection test may still be able to demonstrate a local connection through special or exceptional circumstances.  Supporting evidence will be required, and applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Remove or update your entry

If you decide that you no longer wish to be included in the register or if you would like to update your details, please email us at selfbuild@rushmoor.gov.uk.

Important information about registering your interest

You don't need to be on the register to self-build or custom build or to make a planning application for self-build or custom-build housing.  The register will help us find out about the level of demand for self-build and custom-build homes in Rushmoor and may help with the development of specific planning policies for the provision of self-build or custom housebuilding plots.

In signing up to the register, you are making no commitment, but you are agreeing that we can use the data that you provide to understand the demand for self-build and custom-build housing in Rushmoor.

In preparing the register, we are making no commitment to provide self-build or custom-build plots.  Joining the register does not guarantee that planning permission will be granted or that a suitable plot will be identified or made available to you.

The register will not be a public document, but we may publish headline data from it annually.

Further information on self-build and custom build can be found on the Self-Build Portal.

Privacy notice

Read about the information you send us and what we use it for in our privacy notice.