Self build groups will be able to bid to part fund land acquisition and early development costs with money being repaid on completion of the project.
Shapps is also writing to mortgage lenders highlighting the strong business case for lending to self-builders and said, "The self build industry is riding the crest of a wave, with more people than ever wanting control over the design and build of their home. But despite this self-build surge, we continue to lag behind the rest of the world. I am determined to change this so anyone who wants to embark on a self build project has the opportunity to do so."
The case for increasing the number of self built homes has been set out by Shapps in his article for the conservativehome blog.
The National Self Build Association has also announced that Kevin McCloud, presenter of Channel 4's Grand Designs, has been appointed to be a champion for all self builders. He will raise public awareness of the benefits of self building and help the self-build industry promote the services available to those looking to build for the first time.
To mark the start of his new role, Kevin McCloud has accompanied Grant Shapps as he leads a UK trade delegation to the Netherlands, to see what lessons can be learnt from the successful Dutch self build industry.
In July 2011, working closely with the government, the National Self Build Association published a detailed Action Plan to promote the growth of the UK self build industry.
A new industry-sponsored self build website, backed by Kevin McCloud, was launched at the end of April 2012. It offers help and advice for aspiring self builders.
In a written parliamentary question Labour's housing spokesman Hillary Benn requested a breakdown of the average £150,000 cost of a self-build home by (a) land and (b) building cost. [The housing minister had stated in his ConservativeHome article that "whilst the average price of a house is £232,000, a self-built home is £150,000 average, including the land."]
ReplyDeleteThe response from Grant Shapps said:
"According to the National Self Build Association the majority of self-builders spend between £100,000 and £150,000 building their own home. For example, Fairgrove Homes are currently selling plots in Nottinghamshire to self builders for £40,000 and will build a good sized three bed home for a further £90,000. At Ashley Vale in Bristol the community built their homes for less than £150,000 each, including land and all building costs.
It is not however possible to provide a breakdown of the average cost of a self-build home, including land, given the wide variation in cost across the country and the range of build routes which a self builder can follow to build their home."