Plans for a second self-build development in Bicester have been given the go-ahead.

Cherwell District Council approved plans for 42 apartments at land at Coach House Mews. Thirty will be available on an equity loan basis and 12 affordable rent.

In Banbury, planning permission has been given to convert Juniper Court, a grade II listed building in St John’s Road, into four two-bedroom flats which will be sold on an equity loan basis. And a detached house will be built on a grass verge in Causeway.

Also a former garage block will be converted into a detached property in Fenny Compton Road, in Claydon.

Each of the sites is part of the council’s Build! project, a scheme where residents complete some of the work themselves in exchange for a discount on rent or sale price.

Debbie Pickford, lead member for housing, said: “Last month the council gave permission for seven sites across Cherwell to be used for the provision of 66 Build! properties and to have received approval for another 48 homes is fantastic news.

“For many, the idea of renting or buying your first home is an expensive pipedream but this project is designed to help those very people achieve their goals.”