A TV star is hoping custom built developments in Oxfordshire will pave the way for the future of housing in the county.

Host of Channel 4's 'Grand Designs', Kevin McCloud, donned his hard hat and high vis jacket as he inspected a five home development in Cumnor Hill.

The Acre Development allows home buyers to customise a £1.4m or £1.7m home to suit their personal needs.

But Mr McCloud was adamant the new wave of custom and self build developments should help the affordable housing crisis.

He said: "We are going back to the past here - there is nothing futuristic about self-buildings.

"In medieval times you would build your own house to suit your needs.

"And for some reason over time we have forgotten about this idea that you need to build for your environment.

"It is so important we build good quality, with architectural homes for everyone - not just a select few."

As well as the Acre Development, Mr McCloud is also involved with a 1,900 self-build development in Graven Hill, Bicester.

Said to be the largest self-built site in Europe, Mr McCloud said he was "excited" about building a new thriving community.

He said: "It is all about giving people a choice.

"When you buy a new car, you can chose to have different features but for some reason we're happy to let people just live in a copy of a copy of a house.

"The development in Bicester, I can really see being rolled out across the country as well as other parts of Oxford.

"There are going to be single houses, but also flats and terraces in the development.

"And I can't wait for getting those ten families or so who want to build a block of flats, get them together and really work out what it is they want from their home."

Mr McCloud added: "This is why we want to roll out more self and custom build developments in the county.

"People need to have the balance of quality and affordability, because everyone needs a home which suits their needs."