The new Minister of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, visited Graven Hill recently, getting first-hand experience of Custom Build homes.
The visit was part of a tour of the Oxford/Milton Keynes/Cambridge corridor, an area where Government has ambition to create around a million homes by 2050, capitalising on the developing science base in the area.
The visit will help boost the standing of Custom and Self-build by the Minister, fueling the debate for more councils to facilitate large-scale Custom Build schemes across the UK.
Cherwell District Council hosted the trip, which is the second visit to the site by a housing minister this year.
The day provided an opportunity for the council to showcase an innovative Garden Town project, as well as demonstrate the potential that Self-build has to deliver at volume, as Graven Hill is expected to deliver 1,900 homes over 10 years.
Malthouse was welcomed by managing director of Graven Hill Village Development Company, Karen Curtin, who led the tour. During the visit, Malthouse met one of the first Self-build residents at Graven Hill, Kyle McKinnon, who moved in to his custom-build Danwood home in July. (Main picture.)
McKinnon talked in depth about the triumphs and challenges of self-build with the minister, praising the simplicity of the process of building at Graven Hill, particularly the short time frame from completing on his Golden Brick plot to moving in.
“It has been marvellous to be here and wonderful to see the energy at Graven Hill. This is an infectious, ambitious project providing the housing needed for growth and success of the town,” said Kit Malthouse MP, Minister of State for Housing
Karen Curtin said, “We were delighted to welcome MP Kit Malthouse to Graven Hill and show him first-hand what the future of UK house building could look like.
“Graven Hill offers a unique proposition to homebuyers by encouraging total design freedom, to tailor your own home to suit your needs and wants. It’s exciting to see how popular the development is and I’m so proud that the Commons is recognising that we’re helping to future-proof home building in the UK.”
Cllr Barry Wood, leader of the council, said: “We are extremely proud of this development; we’re creating a great place to live, delivering the homes that people need and helping them to see their grand designs become a reality.”
Mr Malthouse was joined on a tour of the site by Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth, Vale of White Horse District Council leader Roger Cox and Cherwell District Council leader Barry Wood.
