HOUSING

THE Coalition has announced plans to make it easier for people to build their own homes by slashing red tape.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps also promised to free up publicly-owned land.

Under the plans, selfbuilders would not have to pay for the plot until their home is completed.

He also called for private investors, local authorities and housing associations to make plots available.

At the Grand Designs show, London, Mr Shapps said: "These efforts will bring selfbuild into the mainstream and not simply be the preserve of the privileged few."

One in five homes in the UK are already self-built.

Mr Shapps added: "Selfbuilders deliver affordable, greener and more innovatively-designed homes.

"I want to turn around the fortunes of self-builders by cutting the red tape and bureaucracy they often face and make self-build a reality for many more people."