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Self-build projects are where an individual or group are involved in building or managing the construction of their homes from beginning to end.
Custom housebuilding is where an individual or group commissions their home from a developer, but are still involved in the design and layout decisions. Buying a home off plan and making minor decisions, such as the design of the kitchen, does not count as custom housebuilding.
We must take this register into account when making decisions about planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration in the area to ensure we are meeting demand for serviced plots.
The register is split into two parts - Part One and Part Two.
To join Part One, you must have a local connection to the Dover district and be able to show you can afford to carry out a self-build project. Our obligations regarding self-build are based on the number of people in Part One.
If you don’t have a local connection or can’t show you have enough funding, you can still join Part Two of the register.
There is an initial administration fee of £30 to be added to either Part One or Part Two of the register and an annual £15 renewal fee for those on Part One.
These fees are used to provide information, training and opportunities for self-builders in the district.
How to apply to join the register
Check you meet the eligibility criteria to register:
you must be aged over 18
you must be a British citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland
you must want to acquire a serviced plot of land to build a house to occupy as your sole or main home.
Check whether you are eligible for Part One or Part Two of the register, and prepare your evidence:
Part One will require you to provide documents which prove your local connection to the Dover district and your financial capacity to complete a self-build project
Part Two will not require a local connection to the district or proof of financial capacity to complete a self-build project
evidence required for Part One of the register is outlined below.
Register your interest by using the apply button on this page and submit your documents:
make sure you include your preferred contact details
if you wish to join Part One of the register, double check that you have the correct documents.
To be eligible for Part One of the register, you must have a local connection to the Dover district. You must fall under one of the options below to be eligible and include the relevant documents in your registration application.
Option A: Five consecutive years of living within the Dover district
Twodocuments are required:
one of the following, dated within the last three months: utility bill, council tax bill, credit card or bank statement, building society or credit union statement or Tenancy Agreement
one of the following, dated over five years ago: utility bill, council tax bill, credit card or bank statement, building society or credit union statement or Tenancy Agreement.
Option B: Permanent consecutive employment for a minimum of one year within the Dover district
Two documents are required:
one of the following: your most recent payslip, your most recent P60 or P11D
one of the following: payslip from 12-15 months ago, P60 or P11D from the previous tax year.
If you are unable to provide the documents above, a letter from your employer on headed paper stating your period of employment, name, current date and home address will be accepted. If you provide this letter, you do not need to provide any additional documents.
Option C: Previous Dover district resident for 10 consecutive years, within the last 20 years, returning to the district
Two documents are required:
one of the following, dated at the start of your 10 year residency within the Dover district: utility bill, council tax bill, credit card or bank statement, building society or credit union statement or Tenancy Agreement
one of the following, dated at the end of your 10 year residency within the Dover district: utility bill, council tax bill, credit card or bank statement, building society or credit union statement or Tenancy Agreement.
If you were under 18 during this period, exam results from a school in the Dover district or proof of parents' residency in the form of the above can be considered.
Option D: Armed Forces active personell (or active in the last five years)
One document required:
official document showing your full name and dates of service.
To be eligible for Part One of the register, you must have the financial capacity to complete a self-build project. You must meet one of the options below and include the relevant documents in your registration application.
The financial capacity test is also carried out each year at annual renewal. If you wish to remain on the register, you will need to supply the relevant documents each year.
Option A: Cash purchase
One document required upon registration and renewal:
a statement from an FCA regulated bank, building society or financial advisor dated within the last three months, showing your full name and address.
Option B: Mortgage
Two documents required upon registration and renewal:
an Agreement in Principal from your mortgage or financial advisor
proof of funds showing total deposit amount: a statement from an FCA regulated bank, building society or financial advisor dated within the last three months, showing your full name and address.
Once we have received your registration form and checked all your supporting documents, we will email you to confirm you have met the criteria to join either Part One or Part Two. We will then send you a payment link.
Once the £30 payment has been made, we will formally notify you of your placement on the register within 10 working days.
Please note: being on the register does not guarantee you will be offered a suitable building plot.
Further information
The table below shows the total number of people on the Self-build Register per year (people remaining and newly added, minus any that were removed and no longer wish to be on register).
Previous
Registrations
Part 1
Part 2
Total
30 October 2022 (register with tests)
N/A
5
2
7
30 October 2023 (register with tests)
N/A
6
1
7
30 October 2024 (register with tests)
N/A
7
1
8
30 October 2025 (register with tests)
N/A
2
2
4
Details of planning permissions granted for self-build projects between April and March each year are published in the annual Authority Monitoring Reports.
Any proposal for self-build housing will need a formal planning application and will be subject to the relevant policies set out within the Development Plan for the area.
Details of planning permissions granted between April and March are published every autumn in the annual Authority Monitoring Reports (AMR).
access to a public highway with connections for electricity, water and waste water, or
can be provided with those things in specified circumstances or within a specified period.
Additional information on self-build homes is available through the Self-build Portal which provides advice to people who want to build their own home.
Alternatively, the National Custom and Self-Build Association brings together developers, architects, planners, financial and warranty providers, manufacturers, self builders, community groups and local authorities to develop, share and promote best practice in self and custom build.
