Shapps announces support for self-build homes

Support for the UK’s first self-building communities has been given the green light by housing minister Grant Shapps.

Aiming to double the size of the self-build sector, Shapps announced that seven areas had been dedicated to self-building across the country, with further sites planned for identification by local authorities and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Surplus public sector land in Pool’s Treveson Park will support up to 60 homes, while plots in Bristol, Hemel Hempstead and Bolsover are to be opened shortly.

A £30million investment fund has also been launched, offering short-term loans to community groups, builders and other small organisations for the construction of homes.

Such funding is to be made available to organisations looking to build five or more properties at a cost of up to £3million, and could be used to pay for up to 75% of a project’s land and early construction costs.

While pleased to launch the system of support, Shapps affirmed that work to provide local people with self-build plots in Cherwell District Council would need to be seen nationwide if the country was to adequately support the current ‘self-build surge’.

‘The new national planning rules require councils to consider the needs of self-builders in their area, and I would urge authorities across the country to look at Cherwell and the innovative work there as an exciting example of how this can be achieved.’