Four new sites for self-builders are being released by the Homes and Communities Agency.

The sites form part of a wider government programme to support the growth of the custom build housing sector.

Housing minister Kris Hopkins said these new sites will form around 70 plots for new homes. This will add to the 130 plots which are being made available under a government commitment to free up land for those looking to build their own homes.

The sites being announced and which will be marketed for development by the Homes and Communities Agency on formerly-used public sector land are:

• Urban Pioneers, Middlehaven
• Oxley Park, Milton Keynes
• Pound Lane South, Basildon
• Lightmoor Village, Telford

The government is also looking to run a pilot project on a further public land site which will test the workability and benefits of disposing serviced building plots on a larger scale.

Speaking to the Federation of Master Builders at a summit jointly organised with the National Self Build Association,  Hopkins urged smaller developers to seize the business opportunity presented by this untapped market, and offer custom build opportunities to the thousands of self-builders waiting to get their projects off the ground.

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.

“That’s why we’ve committed to lead the way by making our formerly-used public sector land available for self-builders, and why today we’re making 4 further sites available, taking the total to 12.”

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), 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. The economic downturn has really taken its toll on capacity, with many of our members reporting that it just hasn’t stacked up for them financially to build houses for various reasons.

“Thanks to this really productive summit, held in conjunction with the National Self-Build Association (NaSBA) and DCLG, many FMB members should have renewed confidence that there are genuine opportunities for them to build more new houses. FMB members are well-placed to deliver the quality products this new generation of custom build clients demands – innovative, affordable and financially viable properties that will ensure diversity in the market and go some way to tackling Britain’s alarming housing deficit.

“This is why the FMB is taking the lead in working with NaSBA to promote the growth of the custom build sector, including working to develop an online platform which can better link up FMB members experienced in delivering self-build and custom build projects with clients who want a home built.”