The Perfect Self-Build Opportunity

Back in the summer, I took a trip to Kloeber’s new showroom for a Build It reader day. It was a pleasure to meet a select group of self-builders in such a wonderful environment; it’s a lovely part of the country and the firm has created a spectacular space to promote its range of windows and doors.

My journey took me past the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site at Graven Hill in Bicester and, not surprisingly, during the day I met a few couples keen to be involved with Cherwell District Council’s inspired decision to open up this redundant space for prospective self-builders.

It still looks very much like an MoD site at present, but it’s great to know that’s about to change and that the dreams of thousands of self and custom builders will become a reality here in the near future.

Cherwell DC’s plans will not be news for many of you, but for those of you that are just about to embark on building your own home, you may not be so familiar with the scheme. This project is the largest self and custom build opportunity available in the UK, which is very exciting.

For all of you looking for a location in the heart of England with access to just about everywhere, you won’t find much better than the 187 hectare Graven Hill site. It has received outline planning permission for up to 1,900 new homes and will cover everything from affordable housing (which will take up 30% of the site) through to group and community self-build, eco houses and bespoke detached family homes.

The first plots will be reserved for prospective self-builders from October this year so if you have not already registered, visit gravenhill.co.uk to sign up.

The remaining land will be released at a rate of around 200 sites per year over a 10-year period so it will take a while to complete the whole scheme and the planned infrastructure to go with it.

It’s certainly going to be a diverse and exciting site and although applications from local residents are set to take precedence, the opportunity is open to all. Some initial indications of plot prices are emerging and while a wide range of budgets will be catered for, you’ll still have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds or access to a mortgage suitable for your design.

The plan is for the whole site to be covered by a Local Development Order. This means that provided your plans meet the approved design code and the Plot Passport criteria, which will outline key elements of an acceptable scheme, then there will be no need for a further planning application to approve ‘reserved matters’ as would normally be the case.

I hope this comes to pass because it will make life much easier for both self-builders and the planners. With any luck, we are looking at the future of self and custom building, and it’s looking great!