What is self build and custom build?

The legal definition of Self build from the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 is as follows;

Self-build and custom housebuilding are defined in the Housing and Planning Act as: “… the building or completion by— (a) individuals, (b) associations of individuals, or (c) persons. working with or for individuals or associations of individuals of houses to be occupied as homes. by those individuals.

Self-build usually means that you are directly involved in the design and building of your home.

You could build your home:

  • Yourself
  • With the help of a contractor
  • With a group of other self-builders, sharing knowledge and expertise

Custom build usually means that you work with a specialist developer to design and build your home. It is more of a ‘hands off’ approach. 

The developer could:

  • Help you find a plot
  • Build your home
  • Arrange finance for the cost of building your home

Useful links:

Self Build Register

You can apply to be included on the Mid Sussex self build and custom house building register of interest

Please complete our online registration form

Please note that in order to ensure that the information held is up to date and accurately reflects demand within the district, the Register has recently been reviewed and as part of this review the following have been introduced:

  • A requirement for evidence of local connection
  • An amended application form
  • An annual review / re-registration process
  • An initial registration fee of £50 for all applications and
  • An annual renewal fee of £25 for Part One entries only

Be aware that

Registration is for our information only. It does not mean you will get a plot.

Land for custom and self build within Mid Sussex is sold at market value.

The register is divided into two parts:

  • Part One – People who have an evidenced local connection to Mid Sussex
  • Part Two – People who do not have an evidenced local connection to Mid Sussex

There are other self and custom build registers that are operated by third party companies. The Council will only accept applications via our online registration form on this page.

Analysis of MSDC's Self & Custom Build Register of Interest as at 30th October 2023

No. and type of applicants

 

Totals for each part of the register

 

Individuals

28

Part 1 (evidenced local connection)

24

Association of individuals

0

Part 2

4

Total:

28

Total:

28

 

 

 

 

Preferred location (ranked 1-10)

 

Preferred no. of bedrooms

 

Albourne

4

1 bed

0

Ansty

6

2 bed

2

Ardingly

14

3 bed

6

Ashurst Wood

6

4 bed

12

Balcombe

10

5+ bed

11

Bolney

10

Total:

31

Burgess Hill

10

 

 

Copthorne

8

Preferred ownership type

 

Crawley Down

7

Owner Occupation

27

Cuckfield

14

Shared Ownership/equity

0

East Grinstead

8

Affordable Rent

1

Fulking

1

Total:

28

Handcross

4

 

 

Hassocks

5

Preferred financing option

 

Haywards Heath

14

Own outright without a mortgage

9

Horsted Keynes

9

Own with a mortgage

18

Hurstpierpoint

9

Part own with a HA to share cost

1

Lindfield

14

Total:

28

Pease Pottage

2

 

 

Poynings

1

Indicated plot price

 

Sayers Common

5

<£75k

3

Scaynes Hill

3

£75k-£100k

1

Slaugham

3

£100k-£125k

3

Staplefield

5

£125k-£150k

6

Turners Hill

6

£150k+

15

Twineham

4

Total:

28

Warninglid

4

 

 

West Hoathly

7

Indicated build price

 

Total:

193

<£150k

1

 

 

£150k-£200k

4

Preferred type of home

 

£200k-£250k

0

Detached House

26

£250k-£300k

4

Detached Bungalow

6

£300k-£350k

1

Semi-Detached House

2

£350k-£400k

4

Semi-Detached Bungalow

7

£400k+

14

Terraced House

3

Total:

28

Apartment/Flat

1

 

 

Total:

45

 

 

 

Sites with planning permission

The following sites have permission to provide serviced plots for self/custom builders:
Description Site Planning reference
3 x serviced plots for custom/self build (on a development site with outline consent for 43 residential dwellings) Land to the East of High Beech Lane / Land North of Barrington Close, Lindfield DM/17/2271

Community Land Trusts

Community Land Trusts are not-for-profit organisations that buy land and keep its value for the benefit of the local community.

Only the value of the buildings are bought and sold which means affordable housing, either to rent or to buy, can be built on this land.

Community land trusts are not just for housing, they can also be used to provide employment space, village shops, and more.

Mid Sussex District Council is pleased to support the Sussex Community Housing Hub - an enabling service providing advice and support to community-led housing groups such as:

  • Community Land Trusts
  • Co-housing
  • Co-operative housing
  • Self build groups

More information:

Contact:

Tom Warder
Tel: 01273-407302
Email: tom.warder@ruralsussex.org.uk

Contact us

Housing Enabling & Development Officer
Nick Hewer Royle
Tel: 01444 477309
Email: Nicholas.Royle@midsussex.gov.uk

Last updated: 27 February 2024