Launching the report with NaSBA, Shapps said he would give the proposals careful consideration and prioritise those that will have the biggest and quickest impact.

In particular, he said he would immediately look into how the government can support the proposal for establishing revolving fund facilities for community self-build projects.

Shapps (pictured) said: “There is still significant opportunity for growth in the sector, which can only be opened up if government and industry work together.”

Following his pledge at the beginning of the year to back self build, Shapps asked NaSBA and other industry experts to work with his officials to develop a plan to boost self builder numbers.

This included tackling issues such as the availability of land and finance, the lack of support for new self builders and the impact of regulation.

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The report sets out 15 proposals, including:

• Making more land available for self-builders, with councils gauging demand for self build in their area and accounting for this in their planning strategies

• New implementation models, including making serviced plots available to self builders

• Encouraging lenders to offer more self-build mortgages

• Revolving funds for group self build schemes

• Removing or simplifying over-burdensome regulations and introducing more proportionate planning rules for small developments

• The self-build industry providing clearer, independent information to would-be self builders, with the creation of an online self-build ‘portal’ to enable more people to get a project underway

Shapps said: “I pledge to continue pushing for the actions necessary to make self-build an easier option for everyone.

“That’s why I will be meeting with some of our biggest retailers to discuss how they can help support the growth of the sector and I challenge the industry to get behind the proposed self-build portal.”

Ted Stevens, chairman of NaSBA, said: “This action plan is the most positive development in the self-build sector for probably 50 years and, if we are able to deliver on the key recommendations, we could see significant growth in the self-build sector.

“In turn this will create jobs, stimulate growth within the self-build supply chain and help people get the custom designed, modestly priced and very sustainable homes they really want.”

Raymond Connor, chief executive of BuildStore Financial Services, added: “The proposals outlined in the action plan and level of support from government will help to trigger the new revolution of home building.

“Growing the industry will be a massive and much-needed boost for local economies and the construction supply chain, as well as aspiring self builders.”