Karen Curtin, managing director for the Graven Hill self build development, fills us in on the latest goings-on on site in Bicester

What is Graven Hill?

Graven Hill, situated in Bicester in Oxfordshire, is the UK’s largest self build site, offering up to 1,900 custom homes. It’s only 14 minutes from Oxford and is served by two train stations and the M40, M4 and M1. The goal is to make it easier for people to self build and to create a community of like-minded people who want to achieve their dream bespoke home amid beautiful surroundings. We have plenty of green spaces and community facilities. In 2021 a primary school will be opening and there will also be a village pub, supermarket, community centre and a coffee shop. Some small office and retail units will be available within the local centre as well.

The land is a former Ministry of Defence site and they’re releasing it to us over two phases. We’re currently in phase one and we will get the rest of the land this summer, ready to build on from 2020 onwards. The idea is that by delivering the land in stages, it allows people to build their homes roughly at the same time while ensuring the relevant infrastructure is in at the right points during the process.