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Bath and North East Somerset Self-Build Register Data
Bath and North East Somerset has an outstanding deficit of 467 plots
Since 2016, 1,254 people have registered interest in self-build here. Bath and North East Somerset has permitted 555 plots.
Part 1 registrations
1,067
legal duty applies
Part 2 registrations
187
local eligibility
Plots permitted
555
since 2016
Current deficit
467
Period 7 (2022)
People on Bath and North East Somerset's self build register
Each icon represents 10 people on the self build register.
People on Bath and North East Somerset's self build register
1,254
Part 1: 1,067Part 2: 187
How has demand evolved?
The chart below tracks cumulative Part 1 demand, combined Part 1+2 demand, permissions granted, and the total outstanding demand over time.
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⚠️Errors and inconsistencies in reported demand data
OriginalAdjusted
Summary of Errors Found
- 2017 Individual Totals Mismatch: The data reports 252 individuals added to a start of 458 (from 2016), which should result in 710. However, the reported end total was 708. This discrepancy of 2 missing individuals persists through all subsequent years. Corrections have been applied to carry forward the calculated total (based on additions) rather than the reported total.
- 2017 Group Totals Mismatch: 11 Groups were reported as Added in 2017 (Start 1), which mathematically results in 12. However, the reported end total was 18. Following the instruction to trust 'Added' numbers, the calculated total of 12 was used.
- 2018 Group Discontinuity: In 2018, the reported number of groups dropped to 4 (Start null, Added 1). This implies a massive removal of groups (either from 18 or 12 down to 3) that was not recorded in the 'Removed' columns. Following the instruction to trust 'Added' figures and prefer higher registrations where data is ambiguous, the cumulative count (1 (2016) + 11 (2017) + 1 (2018) = 13) has been maintained throughout the dataset up to 2024, contradicting the reported constant of 4 groups.
- Missing Breakdown (2019-2022): For years 2019-2022, the 'Added' figures for Part 1 and Part 2 were missing. These have been accurately derived by calculating the difference between the End of Period figures for the current and previous years (Part 1 End Current - Part 1 End Previous = Part 1 Added).
Summary of Corrections
- Individuals (All Years): Adjusted 'Start' and 'End' totals to align with the cumulative sum of 'Added' figures. This increased the final 2024 count from 1239 to 1241. The extra 2 individuals were attributed to Part 1 to give the benefit of the doubt.
- Groups (All Years): Adjusted 'Start' and 'End' totals to reflect the sum of groups added, resulting in 13 groups by 2024 instead of the reported 4.
- Derived Data: populated
part_1_individuals_addedandpart_2_individuals_addedfor 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 based on the year-over-year change in register totals.
Detailed compliance calculations
The full breakdown of how the deficit is calculated, including how demand carries forward for three years while surplus permissions do not.
Cells highlighted indicate values changed by error adjustments
| Base Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Part 1 — Individuals Added | 458 | 252 | 151 | 41 | 32 | 54 | 21 | 23 | 22 |
| Part 1 — Groups Added | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Part 1 — Total Added | 459 | 263 | 152 | 41 | 32 | 54 | 21 | 23 | 22 |
| Part 1 — Cumulative | 459 | 722 | 874 | 915 | 947 | 1,001 | 1,022 | 1,045 | 1,067 |
| Part 2 — Individuals Added | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 33 | 35 | 16 | 11 | 7 |
| Part 2 — Groups Added | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Part 2 — Total Added | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 33 | 35 | 16 | 11 | 7 |
| Permissions Granted | 0 | 65 | 103 | 199 | 32 | 46 | 34 | 35 | 41 |
| Permissions — Cumulative | 0 | 65 | 168 | 367 | 399 | 445 | 479 | 514 | 555 |
| Permissions Matched to Base Period | 367 | 32 | 46 | 34 | 35 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deficit/Surplus for Base Period | -92 | -231 | -106 | -7 | 3 | -13 | -21 | -23 | -22 |
| Unusable Surplus Permissions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Outstanding Demand | 92 | 323 | 429 | 436 | 433 | 446 | 467 | 490 | 512 |
What's happening each year?
Looking at annual data shows whether registration rates are increasing or decreasing, and how permissions compare to new demand each year.
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What policies are in place?
Local authorities can implement various policies that affect self-build. Some restrict who can join the register, while others actively support self-build delivery.
Entry requirements
These policies can limit who is eligible to join the register.
Local connection test
Requires proof of local ties to the area
Financial viability test
Requires proof of ability to complete a build
Registration fee
Charges a fee to join the register
Support measures
Bath and North East Somerset has implemented 3 of 8 possible support measures.
Local Plan general support
Housing mix policy
Percentage policy
Supplementary guidance
Land allocations consideration
Supported specific projects
Housing strategy action
Neighbourhood plan support
Frequently asked questions
Understanding self-build registers and local authority duties.
Under the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, all local authorities in England must maintain a register of individuals and groups who want to build their own homes. The register helps councils understand demand for self-build plots in their area and plan accordingly.
Part 1 includes everyone who meets the basic eligibility criteria (over 18, seeking to acquire land in the area, and a British citizen/EU national with right to reside). Local authorities have a legal duty to grant enough permissions to meet Part 1 demand. Part 2 is optional and councils can apply additional local eligibility tests—such as local connection requirements—to filter applicants. While Part 2 numbers still represent real demand, there's no specific legal duty attached to meeting it.
A base period runs from 31 October to 30 October the following year. The first base period began on 1 April 2016 (when the duty came into force) and ended on 30 October 2016. Councils must count how many people joined Part 1 during each base period, then grant enough "suitable" permissions within 3 years of the end of that base period.
For each base period, we compare the Part 1 demand (registrations) against suitable permissions granted within the 3-year compliance window. If permissions fall short of demand for any base period, that shortfall becomes an outstanding deficit. Importantly, surplus permissions from one period cannot be carried forward to offset deficits from later periods—each base period must be addressed independently.
The legislation refers to granting permissions for "suitable serviced plots of land"—meaning sites with access to connections for electricity, water, and sewerage (or can be provided in a reasonable time). Councils can count permissions they've granted directly, as well as those granted on appeal or through permitted development. The permission doesn't have to be for a council-owned site.
Councils must: (1) maintain the register and allow eligible people to join, (2) have regard to the register when carrying out planning and housing functions, and (3) grant enough suitable permissions to meet the Part 1 demand from each base period within 3 years.
This data comes from Bath and North East Somerset's annual returns published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Freedom of Information requests, and published council documents. We cross-reference multiple sources to verify accuracy and flag any inconsistencies. If you spot an error, please let us know.