Self-build checklist

Planning and budgeting for your self build in advance is an important step, and in order to be placed on Part 1 of the Hastings self-build register, you will need to provide us with evidence of how much your project will cost, how you will fund it, and that you have the funds available or agreed in principle to purchase the land for your project.

There are a number of different ways to calculate your budget, and you should consider that if you wish to be entered on to Part 1 of the register you will need to be able to evidence that you are in a position to purchase the land for your project. 

Some self-build budget calculators are available at Selfbuildportal.org.uk.

There are several ways to find a suitable plot:

Agents

There may be plots suitable for self and custom housebuilding being marketed by local agents and auctioneers in Hastings and nearby parts of neighbouring Rother. Although some already have planning permission, a new permission may be sought if the current permission does not suit your needs.

Plots can be found using property search sites including, but not limited to:

• Plotfinder website
• Rightmove website
• PrimeLocation website

The Local Plan

The Local Plan identifies sites that are suitable for development and may yield five or more dwellings. Self-build and custom housebuilding will be encouraged as part of the overall housing mix on all sites provided that all other relevant local plan policies are met.

The Brownfield Land Register

The Brownfield Land Register identifies sites that have previously been developed and are now suitable and available to be redeveloped for housing. Similar to the local plan, the register normally contains only sites that may yield five or more dwellings. The Brownfield Land Register is updated yearly.

On our web pages

In some cases, a developer may notify us when they are marketing self-build or custom housebuilding plots as part of a larger site. These will be posted to our website and will also be emailed to everyone on Part 1 and 2 of the register. This will be a rare occurrence as developers may not wish to market plots in this way.

Some sites may be sold with planning permission already in place, although a new permission may be sought if this is not what you intend to build. 

The Council offers a pre-application advice service to guide applicants before a formal application is submitted, which can help reduce the likelihood of submitting invalid application and help you understand how planning policies and other requirements affect your proposals.

When you apply for planning permission, you will need to declare that you are undertaking a self-build or custom housebuilding project at application stage by completing this section of the form:

Have you built your own home in Hastings?  We would like to hear about your experience so please email fplanning@hastings.gov.uk.  We may seek to publish some accounts as case studies on the website to help others seeking to self or custom housebuild.