Thinking of building your own home?

Published: 18 March 2024

People wanting to build their own home in Exeter can now sign up to a new register.

The register will help the City Council work out future demand for self build projects in Exeter and may help in allocating suitable land.

The Self Build and Custom House Building Register was established by the Government to support more people to build or commission their own homes. In Exeter, this is kept by the City Council.

Self build projects are defined as those where someone directly organises the design and construction of their own home. This covers a wide range of projects from a traditional DIY self build home to projects where the self builder employs someone to build their home for them. Community-led projects can also be defined as self build.

Custom build homes are where someone works with a developer as an individual or a group to help deliver their own home. The developer may help to find a plot, manage the construction and arrange the finance for the new home. This is more of a hands-off approach but the home will be tailored to match individual requirements.

The self-build and custom house building register provides the Council with an indication of demand for self/custom build in Exeter that can be used when developing housing and planning policies, including the forthcoming Exeter Plan. In the longer term, it may also enable the Council to develop a strategy for matching people to plots.

For more information visit the City Council website https://exeter.gov.uk/planning-services/registers/self-build-and-custom-housebuilding/what-is-the-self-build-and-custom-house-building-register/