About our Local Plan

As part of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act, the Council must keep a register of people who are interested in building their own home in our borough.  This is known as the ‘Self Build/Custom Build Register’.

The fee for joining the register will be £33, with an annual administration fee to stay on the register thereafter of £16.50.

The joining fee will not be charged to those on the existing register (those who joined before 1 August 2023). However, the annual administration fee for remaining on the register will apply, to be charged yearly, from the end of each base period (31 October 2023).

The register is divided into two parts. Part 1 assesses interest from local residents in carrying out custom and self-build projects within Tonbridge and Malling borough. Part 2 helps the Council determine interest from people outside of the borough in carrying out custom and self-build projects within the borough.

Part 1

To be entered on to Part 1 of the register, applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet the Local Connections Test and the Financial Viability Test.

Local Connections Test (LCT)

This means the individual or group are:

• a permanent resident of the Borough for three consecutive years, prior to application; or
• currently employed within the Borough and have been for a minimum of the past twelve months (consecutively); or
• current self-employed, with an ongoing viable venture where the work is within the Borough, and has been for a minimum of twelve months (consecutively); or
• in the service of the regular armed forces of the Crown (defined within the meaning of section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006) or have left regular service within the past 5 years immediately preceding their application on the Self-Build Register.

Financial Viability Test (FVT)

Applicants are required to provide evidence which demonstrates that they have sufficient funds to purchase a plot of land and to fund the construction of their self-build project.

Part 2

If you cannot meet the Local Connections Test or Financial Viability Test, but meet all the other eligibility criteria, you will be entered on Part 2 of the register (please note that this does not apply to members of the armed forces).

The requirements of associations on the register may be different in order to suit different needs of those within the association.

How to apply

To apply to join the register, please click below in order to provide the requested information and supporting documents:

Apply to join the Self Build Register

The process is easier and quicker if you log in to your account (or create an account if you don't already have one). 

As part of the registration process, the Council may ask for additional information or clarification to be provided. 

More information

For more information, please contact us at localplan@tmbc.gov.uk. The Planning Portal and GOV.UK also provide comprehensive information on self-build and custom build projects.

A guidance note and series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) has been prepared to assist your application:

See ‘Guidance Notes and FAQs’

Privacy notice

This privacy notice tells you what to expect when Planning Policy collects personal information, and what rights you have in relation to the information we hold about you.