Self-Build Plots In High Demand

A Story from the Oxford Mail

More than 2,500 people have shown an interest in building their own homes on one of the 1,900 plots available at the Graven Hill site near Bicester.

32353013_jpg-pwrt3The director of the company behind the development, which is the UK’s largest self-build housing project, said the level of interest had been “fantastic”.

The first 10 homes of the development will be featured in six-part documentary My Grand Design with TV presenter Kevin McCloud.

Experts held workshops last week to give advice and information on how people can go about building their houses on the former Ministry of Defence land.

Representatives of the Graven Hill Village Holding and Development Company, which is responsible for the site, held the event to help residents start planning.

Karen Curtin, director of the company, said: “We have seen a fantastic level of interest in this project from across the UK. And, with six months to go before the first plots are even released for reservation we have more than 2,500 people registering an interest in 1,900 plots.”

“This event gave people the chance to find out more about the whole self-build concept, from choosing the right plot and mortgage to deciding upon how to manage the self-build process.”

The 187 hectare site is owned by Cherwell District Council and planning permission has also been given for a primary school, employment space, a pub and local shops.

Cherwell district councillor Lynn Pratt said she never thought the scheme would attract this much interest.

She added: “You could say I was a little bit sceptical when the idea came out. I have watched the television programmes, but I did not think it would take off as much as it has done. I think that it is amazing that there are a lot of people who have shown interest.”

The site is managed by the Graven Hill Village Holding Company, which is owned by the district council, and its subsidiary company the Graven Hill Village Delivery Company is responsible for delivering the site.

Plot prices vary from £95,000 to £105,000 depending on the size.

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