Difference between self and custom build

Liz – I think the ‘definitions’ are is a process of flux. Five years ago no one had heard of custom build. I think the definition of Self Build has currently settled down a bit (homes where people find their own site, secure planning on it, do the building work themselves or project manage subbies, etc. Basically where they do quite a lot!). But in five years time it might mean less than this….and custom build could then be a generic term that covers what we currently understand as self build too!

The provisions in the 2015 Act, the 2016 Register regulations as well as the emerging Housing and Planning Bill consider ‘self’ and ‘custom’ build to be part of the same market which the legislation is seeking to support- hence the reference to “Self-build and Custom Housebuilding”. Even the 2014 Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) Regulations which refer to ‘self-build housing’ don’t preclude custom build development if it complies with Reg 54A(2).

There is no national policy or legislative requirement to treat these different routes to building your own home differently. That said, we have noticed that many council policies refer to ‘self build’ housing- which is misleading and should be avoided as it will complicate planning decision-making. Councils may of course want to take different approaches to different forms of private homebuilding (the generic term used in the Toolkit) in particular circumstances- but this must be properly justified and informed by local demand registers and other information. There is a Briefing Note on this in the Toolkit.