Self-build Housing and the Self-build Housing Register
The self-build housing register allows the council to understand the demand for self and custom-build housing plots and to ensure that this is considered when developing planning policies and allocating sites through the Local Development Plan.
Self-build Housing
Self-build housing is defined as where an individual commissions or (whether acting alone or with other individuals) is personally involved in the design and construction of a dwelling that is intended to be the individual's main residence once it is built.
The key difference between self-build and mainstream housing is that it is people-led rather than developer-led.
Self-build helps to diversify the housing market and provides an alternative to standard market housing. It offers the opportunity to create innovative, greener, and more affordable homes that meet people's individual needs than is perhaps currently offered through standard housing options.
You can project manage your build with sub-contractors or use one contractor for a turnkey solution. This does not mean you have to do all the physical work yourself, it's your choice.
The self-build list covers the following types of self-build:
- Self-build housing - where a person builds their own house or appoints their own builder.
- Custom-build housing - where a person tasks a house builder to tailor a home to their preferences before it is built.
- Collective self-build - where a group get together to build their homes. This provides the opportunity for friends and people, to work together - sharing costs and building relationships as they build their houses.
- Co-Housing - an intentional, mutually-supportive community with shared communal space. It involves people coming together to build a neighbourhood that embodies particular values.
- Self-provided housing - includes self-build housing, custom-build housing and collective build housing.
There are many types of self-build and custom-build. The following external websites may assist in explaining the different types of self-build and custom-build projects:
Please note that these links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the council of any of the products, services or opinions of the organisations or individual.
To give an idea of the cost of building your own home there are a number of calculators available here. It should however be noted that this will be additional to acquiring a plot of land and associated legal fees.
The Scottish Government has established the Scotland Self-Build Loan Fund which can offer loans of up to £175,000 to eligible applicants to help with construction funding for self-build projects. You can find out more about the fund and apply online by clicking here.
While building a bespoke house can be very rewarding, it can also be a complex process. The Scottish Government have developed a guide to self-building a home to help people who are new to self-build understand what's involved and where to find out more.
It is also recommended that anyone wishing to pursue a self-build opportunity should seek professional help with the process and should contact one of the following professional bodies for assistance:
Self-build Housing Register
The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 (Section 16E) requires Local Planning Authorities to prepare, maintain and publish a list of anyone with the intention of acquiring land for self-build housing across the planning authority's area and the council is to have regard to this list when preparing the next Local Development Plan.
If you are interested in self-build you are invited to complete this registration form where you will also find details of the privacy policy as it applies in these circumstances.
When applying to be entered on the register, anyone wishing to register as part of a group or an association should appoint a member or officer to act as the lead contact for the purposes of correspondence between the association and the council.
By registering you will help the council find out more about the demand for self-build plots in West Lothian and the type of house that they would like to build.
The council will use the information to inform and develop planning policy and guidance and to explore ways in which it might be possible for people seeking self-build plots to be brought together with potential providers.
It is however important to be aware that the register is not a waiting list for serviced plots and that registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or become available. The council is unable to commit to finding or providing registered individuals with self-build plots, but where possible, it will try to promote self and custom-build house building to landowners with suitable sites and will facilitate access to those on the register where the landowner is interested.
It is also the case that self-build homes are subject to the same requirement for planning permission as other homes and proposals must therefore be in accordance with the policies of the prevailing Development Plan if they are to be supported.
If you have any questions specifically relating to self-build or just want to provide feedback and comments on our service more generally, please email the Development Planning and Environment team at DPgeneral@westlothian.gov.uk You can also write to us at Development Planning and Environment, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6FF.
This page was last updated: 03 July 2024
