South Gloucestershire Self-Build Register Data

South Gloucestershire has an outstanding deficit of 261 plots

Since 2016, 1,365 people have registered interest in self-build here. South Gloucestershire has permitted 654 plots.

Part 1 registrations

961

legal duty applies

Part 2 registrations

404

local eligibility

Plots permitted

654

since 2016

Current deficit

261

Period 7 (2022)

People on South Gloucestershire's self build register

Each icon represents 10 people on the self build register.

People on South Gloucestershire's self build register

1,365

Part 1: 961Part 2: 404

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

Original

Adjusted

Summary of Errors Found

2016-2018 Missing Part 1/2 Splits: Data for 2016 and 2017 provided no breakdown between Part 1 and Part 2. As the Local Connection Test was not introduced until late 2018, all entries were allocated to Part 1 for these years.
2017 Individual Arithmetic: The reported end total (627) did not match the start (433) + added (195). The end total was corrected to 628.
2018 Individual Discrepancy: The reported end total (700) was higher than the previous year's end + added (628 + 70 = 698). Following the instruction to trust 'Added' numbers, the total was adjusted to 698. Part 1 end was adjusted to 660 (from 662) to maintain the sum.
2018 Group Discrepancy: Reported group end was 2, but previous end (3) + added (0) = 3. The end total was adjusted to 3 to maintain consistency.
2019-2022 Individual Accumulating Drift: In multiple years, the reported 'End of Period' totals were significantly higher than the sum of the previous year's end and the current year's additions. For example, in 2019, reported end was 892, but calculated flow was 816. To strictly adhere to the instruction to 'trust the numbers added', the totals have been recalculated based on cumulative additions, resulting in lower total counts than the raw data reports (e.g., 2024 Start is derived as 1303 vs reported 1268).
2020 Group Breakdown Error: The reported breakdown showed 0 groups in Part 1 and 0 in Part 2, but a Total of 3. This was corrected to Part 1: 2 and Part 2: 1, based on the previous year's data.
2022 Group Breakdown Error: The reported breakdown showed Part 1: 4, Part 2: 0, which implied a sudden shift from the previous split of 2/2 without corresponding additions/removals. This was corrected to 2/2 to match the flow and the subsequent year's start data.
2024 Group Start Arithmetic: The reported Total Groups Start was 4, but the breakdown listed Part 1: 2 and Part 2: 3 (Sum = 5). The Total Start was corrected to 5.

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	433	195	70	31	71	94	19	20	26
Part 1 — Groups Added	1	2	0	-1	0	0	0	0	0
Part 1 — Total Added	434	197	70	30	71	94	19	20	26
Part 1 — Cumulative	434	631	701	731	802	896	915	935	961
Part 2 — Individuals Added	0	0	0	87	86	56	92	49	31
Part 2 — Groups Added	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0
Part 2 — Total Added	0	0	0	88	86	57	92	50	31
Permissions Granted	0	62	163	278	17	46	43	38	7
Permissions — Cumulative	0	62	225	503	520	566	609	647	654
Permissions Matched to Base Period	503	17	46	43	38	7	0	0	0
Deficit/Surplus for Base Period	69	-180	-24	13	-33	-87	-19	-20	-26
Unusable Surplus Permissions	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Outstanding Demand	0	111	135	122	155	242	261	281	307

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

Yes

Financial viability test

Requires proof of ability to complete a build

Registration fee

Charges a fee to join the register

Support measures

South Gloucestershire has implemented 8 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 Gloucestershire'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.