Aberdeenshire Council self-build housing register reaches 80 responses

People interested in building their own home are being encouraged to sign up to Aberdeenshire Council’s self-build housing register, which has now received 80 responses since its launch in November 2023.

The register gathers information from individuals who are interested in acquiring land for self-build housing and asks for basic details about their requirements, including the type of plot they are seeking and their preferred location.

While joining the register will not result in an offer of land being made, the information collected will help the council better understand demand for self-build opportunities across the area and inform future planning policy and land use decisions.

You can access the register at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/self-build/  

Paul Macari, Head of Planning and Economy at Aberdeenshire Council said: “The self-build register continues to assist us in assessing demand for self-build properties and ensure this is considered when developing our planning policies. However just as importantly, for anyone interested in undertaking their own self-build project it provides a range of important information and guidance which will help navigate the challenges that such a project poses.”

The register was established in response to the Scottish Government’s ambition to make self-build housing a more mainstream option for meeting housing needs. Under The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, local planning authorities are required to prepare, maintain and publish a list of individuals who intend to acquire land for self-build housing within their area.

Information gathered through the register will help inform the preparation of Aberdeenshire Council’s next Local Development Plan, ensuring that future planning policies take account of local interest in self-build housing.

To support prospective self-builders, Aberdeenshire Council has also produced a Self-Build Guide, which provides introductory information on the self-build process and signposts readers to more detailed sources of advice and guidance. 

See https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/27868/selfbuildguide.pdf  

Self-building can be a rewarding way to create a bespoke home that meets individual needs and aspirations. However, it is also a complex process involving planning, design, finance and construction considerations. The council advises anyone considering a self-build project to seek appropriate professional advice before proceeding.