The register accumulates information from people who are looking to acquire land for self-build housing and asks for details about what they are looking for, such as the type of plot they are interested in and their location of choice. 

Joining the register will not lead to an offer of land, but the data gathered would help the council attain a stronger understanding of demand for self-build opportunities in the area and influence prospective planning policy and decisions for land use.

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 set up in response to the Scottish Government’s goal to make self-build housing a more widely used option for supporting housing demand. 

Due to The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, local planning authorities must prepare, maintain and publish a list of those who plan to acquire land for self-build housing within their area.

The data accumulated via the register will help drive the preparation of Aberdeenshire Council’s next Local Development Plan. 

The council has also created a Self-Build Guide, which presents information on the self-build process and contains additional sources of advice and guidance. 

The guide can be accessed here: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/27868/selfbuildguide.pdf
  
The register can be accessed here: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/self-build/