Housing minister Grant Shapps has announced a £30m fund to provide short-term finance to self-build projects and has enlisted McCloud to raise awareness of the scheme and offer advice on how to take part.
The government estimates 100,000 people are looking for self-build plots across the UK, and Shapps said he hoped the fund would allow groups of self-build homes to be constructed at the same time and bring the number of self-built houses in line with the rest of the world.
“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,” Shapps said.
“That’s why I am delighted Kevin McCloud has agreed to represent the industry – championing the cause of existing and aspiring self-builders across the country, and raising the issues and concerns that matter most to them.”
Currently, one in ten houses in Britain is self-built, with the government looking to double the size of the industry via this initiative. The number of mortgages available to self-builders is set to rise 141%.
Shapps will also contact key players in the mortgage market to highlight the business case for lending to self-builders: “Self-build is good news for the economy – so I’m writing to lenders and encouraging them to use their own industry’s toolkit to see how they can lend to those who want to build their own homes and expand into this growing market.”
Mr McCloud added: “In the past we have built some of the poorest performing, most expensive and smallest homes in Europe. That’s not something to celebrate.
“But there is another way. What if we became a nation of self-builders like the Dutch? What if each household in the UK had the option to build their own place?
“What if large-scale developers provided finished-slab, fully-serviced sites for homebuilders? We’d see more customised homes that reflect where they are, to higher space standards and to a better quality.
“We’d see people sharing skills and saving money. We’d see neighbours working together on community self build schemes and local construction economies thriving. And we’d certainly see more energy efficient buildings and a wider embracing of green technologies.
“Self build is seen as a long, difficult and self- sacrificing process. But with the right planning, help and support it can be enjoyable and – on collective schemes – empowering.”
