Back to all local authorities
South Downs National Park Self-Build Register Data
South Downs National Park has an outstanding deficit of 69 plots
Since 2016, 340 people have registered interest in self-build here. South Downs National Park has permitted 220 plots.
Part 1 registrations
317
legal duty applies
Part 2 registrations
23
local eligibility
Plots permitted
220
since 2016
Current deficit
69
Period 7 (2022)
People on South Downs National Park's self build register
Each icon represents one person on the self build register.
People on South Downs National Park's self build register
340
Part 1: 317Part 2: 23
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.
Loading chart...
⚠️Errors and inconsistencies in reported demand data
OriginalAdjusted
Summary of Errors Found
- 2016-2021 Missing Breakdowns: The dataset lacked Part 1 and Part 2 breakdowns for years prior to the introduction of the Local Connection Test. All individuals and groups were assigned to Part 1 for these years as standard practice when no test is in place.
- 2017 Arithmetic Discrepancy: The reported Total Individuals End of Period (97) did not match the Start (31) + Added (64) = 95. The figure was corrected to 95 to align with the 'Added' data.
- 2019 Unexplained Drop: The reported Total Individuals dropped to 106 despite a calculated running total of 154 (previous end 116 + 38 added). No removals were recorded. The total was corrected to 154 to preserve the registration history.
- 2020 Group Arithmetic Error: The reported Group Total (1) did not match the Start (2) + Added (1) = 3. The figure was corrected to 3.
- 2022 Register Reset: The register data showed a reset (Total Start: null, End: 33) coinciding with the introduction of the Local Connection Test, effectively erasing ~263 prior registrants without recording them as 'Removed'. The totals were adjusted (End adjusted to 296) to include the historical data.
- 2022-2024 Group Disappearance: Groups dropped from 3 to 0 in 2022 without recorded removals. The count of 3 was restored for subsequent years.
- 2022 Part 1/2 Inconsistency: The 2022 reported data contained internal inconsistencies (Part 1 + Part 2 did not equal Total). The Part 1/Part 2 split for 2022 additions was derived from the verified 2023 Start of Period figures (23 Part 1, 10 Part 2).
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 | 31 | 64 | 21 | 38 | 47 | 62 | 23 | 7 | 21 |
| Part 1 — Groups Added | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Part 1 — Total Added | 31 | 65 | 22 | 38 | 48 | 62 | 23 | 7 | 21 |
| Part 1 — Cumulative | 31 | 96 | 118 | 156 | 204 | 266 | 289 | 296 | 317 |
| Part 2 — Individuals Added | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Part 2 — Groups Added | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Part 2 — Total Added | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Permissions Granted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 26 | 83 | 19 | 7 | 14 |
| Permissions — Cumulative | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 97 | 180 | 199 | 206 | 220 |
| Permissions Matched to Base Period | 71 | 26 | 83 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deficit/Surplus for Base Period | 40 | -39 | 61 | -19 | -41 | -48 | -23 | -7 | -21 |
| Unusable Surplus Permissions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Outstanding Demand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 69 | 76 | 97 |
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.
Loading chart...
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
South Downs National Park has implemented 6 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 South Downs National Park'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.