Government backs self build with dedicated land and £30million fund

Seven large sites have been earmarked by the Government specifically for self builders. Collectively, they should provide plots for more than 100 innovative custom built homes.

The announcement comes on the same day as Housing Minister Grant Shapps revealed details of the much-anticipated £30million Custom Build Investment Fund (formerly known as the ‘Revolving Fund’). This fund offers short-term loans to community groups, builders and other small organisations looking to start self-build projects.

The additional land and the new fund are part of the government’s wider efforts to help double the size of the self-build sector.

UK’s first large scale self build communities to become a reality

The seven sites should deliver at least 100 new self build homes.  The first to be made available, on surplus public sector land in Trevenson Park, Pool, Cornwall will offer 60 homes, making it the nation’s first ever large-scale self build community.

The Housing Minister also confirmed that six other sites are being made available. They are:

• Kingsweir and Torpoint, Bristol
• Spencers Park, Hemel Hempstead
• Pleasley Colliery, Bolsover
• Upper Tuesley Milford, Surrey
• Wilson Road, Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent; and
• Chase Avenue, Walton Park, Milton Keynes.

Mr Shapps has also asked the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to continue identifying sites to be dedicated to group self build projects. He is particularly keen on this approach in the wake of his recent visit to Almere in the Netherlands – Europe’s largest low-cost self-build project.

The Minister also praised the work of Cherwell District Council in Oxfordshire, who are following Almere’s lead by offering specific sites to local people looking to build their own home

For a simple explanation of the Custom Build Investment Fund, click here

Click here to download the fund Custom Build Fund prospectus – this explains all the details you need to prepare a formal submission to the fund

See full report from NaSBA (Self Build Portal)