Four new sites for self-build housing have been released by the Homes and Communities Agency, freeing up plots for 70 residences, according to LG News

As part of government efforts to support the custom-build housing sector, former public sector land in Middlehaven, Milton Keynes, Basildon and Telford has been opened up to aspiring self-builders.

Around one in 10 new homes are custom built, far lower than in many European countries.

Housing minister Kris Hopkins said: ‘We are determined to help aspiring self-builders up and down the country who want to build the home of their dreams but can’t find a plot to get started.

‘We are seeing a new kind of house building model emerging in this country and I am pleased to see how positively the development industry and many councils are responding.’

Chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry, said: ‘We’re delighted the new housing minister is picking up where his predecessor left off in engaging with us to find new ways to encourage and incentivise small and medium sized house builders to bring more new homes to market.’