Housing Minister Grant Shapps has welcomed news that Kevin McCloud has been appointed by the National Self Build Association to support a surge of interest in self-build projects.
Mr McCloud, presenter of Channel 4′s Grand Designs and an architecture specialist, will act as a self-build industry champion to help aspiring self-builders.
Mr Shapps also announced a new £30m fund for self-builders, which will provide short-term finance to help unlock projects where groups of self-build homes are built at the same time.
Kevin McCloud said: “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.”
Grant Shapps 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.”
To mark the start of his new role, Mr McCloud accompanied the Housing Minister as he leads a UK trade delegation to the Netherlands, to see what lessons can be learnt from the highly successful Dutch self-build industry.
