Grand Designs: The Streets
Grand Designs: The Street has been an epic five years in the making. In this six-part series, presented by Kevin McCloud, cameras follow the first 10 pioneering households who are building a brand new street from scratch, on what will ultimately be the UK’s largest self-build project. This ground-breaking experiment takes place in a prime location near Bicester, just 14 miles from Oxford and under an hour from London by train. The local council bought the land from the MOD, and instead of selling it to a developer for a quick profit, they have pre-approved outline planning and sold plots to the general public for around £100k each.
Kevin McCloud returns to Graven Hill in Oxfordshire, the UK's largest mass self-build site, to witness the trials, setbacks and successes of those who are designing and building their own, highly individual homes. First up are Carlos and Maite, who have ambitious plans to build a bold, Spanish-inspired home. But Maite does not just want to live in it, she is also designing it - without any professional qualifications. Meanwhile, co-presenter Natalie Huq follows the birth of a new street in Glasgow, where the local council have given six families an opportunity to construct their own homes on a small plot - beginning with an American-style ranch.
Prabhjot and Shalini's new-build is a super-quick kit house which should go up in a matter of weeks. But with such a close community, their home will need to take their friends' tastes into account as well as their own.
Kevin McCloud follows John and Julia, who are realising their 30-year dream of building an amazing house designed by architect John after years of bad luck. They have secured a plot at Graven Hill in Oxfordshire and John has designed a modernist wedge of a home for them to retire to. But as soon as they start, their run of bad luck continues - the lockdown brings construction to a halt and every month in their expensive rented house eats away at their budget - in turn threatening their vision for a comfortable retirement.
The most senior builders on the street set out to create two unique, bespoke homes. During the construction process, these old friends face serious challenges as their relationship is severely tested
Two young couples make their own homes, getting on the property ladder at last. While one pair scavenge for building materials, the construction effort pushes the other pair close to breaking point.
Paul and Blanka hope to build an ambitious and cheap eco-home. But the project costs the family more than they bargained for - not just financially.
A pair of 20somethings take a risk building their first home together using an untested method. And a father and son hope to bond building a family home with space for all.
A couple of engineers plan an upside-down house. Garrie is building the largest project on the street. The stakes are high though as his wife Sue has health issues.
Kevin McCloud follows the last of the self-build projects, as married couple Pauline and Godfrey seek to downsize to a modular, factory-built home that is erected in just two weeks
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Release | 2019-04-04 |
| Producer | Boundless |