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Affordable housing on Exmoor isn't easy to find...but self-builds offer hope. Last week, young people and supporters from across the National Park turned up eager to explore what self-build could look like on Exmoor. The Exmoor Young Voices’ Self-Build Tour took us to three very different homes:
 Why we hosted the Self-Build TourEYV has run self-build tours before, but the last one was pre-pandemic. Since then, interest and urgency around affordable self-builds on Exmoor has grown. Conversations with young people have sharpened, new projects have started, and one question keeps emerging: is self-build the only realistic way for young people to afford a home on Exmoor? In response, EYV formed the Self-Build Group – a growing network of people at very different stages of the journey, from plot finding and early ideas, to homes already rising from the ground. The group of young people, led by Justin Tyers, exists to share knowledge, frustrations, small wins, and hard-earned lessons. And as it grew, so did demand for something very simple: the chance to actually see self-builds in real life.  The homes on the Exmoor Self-Build TourThe tour centred around three homes, each representing a different approach, stage, and experience. The aim wasn’t to present a single “right way” to build, but to share experiences honestly. Justin and Linda’s straw bale & timber frame self-buildJustin and Linda Tyers’ home was the first stop. Built on a £50,000 plot within Exmoor National Park, their self-build is a striking example of what’s possible when determination, creativity, and hands-on learning come together. Constructed using traditional, locally sourced timber and straw bales for insulation and wall structure, the house is ecological, low-carbon, and deeply connected to its surroundings. Everything about the build feels intentional and bespoke, from the structure itself to the way the home is powered and lived in. Perhaps most surprising of all is the cost. The total build came in at around £67,000, which includes not just the house, but a fully insulated 40sqm workshop and complete off-grid systems for electricity, water, and sewage. Most of the work was done by Justin and Linda themselves. Budget constraints forced them to question assumptions about what was possible, including whether they needed an architect. “What I learnt when I was doing this was how much you can do yourself. We were really tight on the budget, and the first thing I came up against was the cost of an architect. That was going to be a big chunk of the money we had. I wondered if it was even legal to be your own architect – and I found there was no problem with that” said Justin. Drawing on books, research, and a love of traditional building methods, Justin taught himself timber framing. “I’m very into medieval-style frames, so I got a book out, read up on it, and worked out how thick the timber needed to be and what joints to use. It’s incredible what you can learn.” More than anything, Justin’s message to the group was about doing it your way, taking control of the process, and designing a home that reflects how you want to live. “You’re in charge of your build. You make all the decisions. You don’t have to accept anything. You would be amazed at how much cheaper it is to do things yourself, and how you can come up with solutions that work for you and how you want to live.” It’s also worth noting that Justin and Linda’s home is tied to a Section 106 agreement – ensuring new homes in National Parks like Exmoor remain available to people with a strong local connection.  Josh and Meg’s ICF self-buildJosh and Meg’s home is still under construction, but the journey began many years ago after they attended an earlier EYV self-build meeting and visited Justin’s property. Both are deeply involved with EYV, Meg as Coordinator and Josh as a Trustee, and their self-build sits on land that has been in Josh’s family for generations. Like Justin and Linda's home, their build is also subject to a Section 106 agreement. The house itself is a contemporary design, built using ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) blocks, and will be clad and rendered to give it a rustic finish that sits comfortably within its Exmoor surroundings. “Think of it a bit like Lego – the blocks slot together and there are little clips on them. You build the ground floor first, and the void in the centre gets filled with concrete. It gives you a very sturdy construction, but it’s also incredibly thermally efficient” said Josh. Designed as an “upside-down house”, the open-plan living space is positioned upstairs, with large windows carefully placed to make the most of the stunning views. The couple has taken a mixed approach to self-build (or custom build as it’s sometimes referred to): expert tradespeople for certain parts, and doing as much as possible themselves to save money. Much of the work has been carried out by Josh, his father and Meg’s father – a huge family effort that they’re extremely grateful for. Along the way, they’ve faced their fair share of hurdles, from planning approval delays and rising material costs, to expensive utilities connections, and balancing build work with full-time jobs and family life. Despite these hurdles, support from Exmoor Young Voices, Lendology CIC, planners, local councillors, the local community, and most importantly, family, has made progress possible and kept the project moving forward.  Sam and Charles’ traditional brick self-buildSam and Charles are part of a local farming family and have lived in their Exmoor village all of their lives. Their site already had a small, derelict two-up, two-down timber house on it that hadn’t been lived in for around 20 years. After early conversations with Exmoor National Park Authority, they were granted planning permission to demolish the existing structure and build a new Rural Worker and Succession Farm dwelling, designed to be in keeping with the style and surroundings of the village. Initially designed at 93sqm, they later discovered that the Rural Worker planning designation allowed a larger footprint – an important advantage when planning a functional family home. Like Josh and Meg, Sam and Charles are combining professional tradespeople with doing as much as they can themselves. They joined the EYV Self-Build Group to learn from others’ experiences and gain support navigating planning changes, such as switching from wooden windows to uPVC wooden-look alternatives. Their build highlights that there isn’t a single route to self-build on Exmoor. Different planning pathways exist, and understanding them is key for anyone hoping to build a home in a National Park. Learning from the Self-Build TourThe Self-Build Tour highlighted both the challenges and opportunities of building on Exmoor, offering practical insights and hope to anyone considering creating their own home here.
At Exmoor Young Voices, we’ll continue the conversation about self-build in Exmoor National Park. Our aim is to educate, inspire, and help others overcome the hurdles that come with building a home in a protected landscape. We’re committed to working alongside the Exmoor National Park Authority and local councils to recognise self-build as an important part of affordable housing on the moor, and to ensure young people have the knowledge, support, and confidence to create homes for their future here.
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Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) has announced that Will Lock, who has led the organisation with dedication and passion since its very beginning, will be stepping down as Chair. Will will continue to serve EYV as Chair of Trustees, ensuring his experience and commitment remain at the heart of the charity as it continues to thrive.
Will Lock said: “The time has come for me to retire as Chair of Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) and take a step back to allow EYV to benefit from a younger chair who has a greater understanding of the problems faced by Exmoor’s young people. The aim is for me to take more of an advisory role to assist the new chair and to continue as Chair of Trustees. We are lucky to have a younger, fresh face with a wealth of local knowledge and experience. I’m sure that, in passing the baton to Robyn, she will continue to build EYV, make the most excellent Chair, and help EYV go from strength to strength. It has been a huge honour to have chaired EYV for so many years. The growth of the organisation has been phenomenal, and the work it has done over the years to support people has been amazing. It has been humbling to be a part of it. For the group to have won the King’s Award for Voluntary Service has to be a highlight, showing that the team’s efforts are appreciated at the highest level. I want to thank all the people who have supported me over the years. I couldn’t have done this job or seen the organisation grow into what it is today, without the dedication of our senior advisers, partners, supporters, trustees, coordinators and, most importantly, our members and young people, who have trusted us to give Exmoor’s youth a voice.” Since EYV was set up in 2012, Will has been at the forefront of its mission to give Exmoor’s young residents a stronger voice. Over the years, he has represented EYV at every major authority, forum, consultative group, conference, farming and business network connected with Exmoor, tirelessly highlighting the challenges young people face in sustaining their lives and livelihoods on the moor. Will’s advocacy has reached national platforms, from attending parliamentary meetings to appearing on ITV and BBC, ensuring that the issues facing Exmoor’s young workers are heard at every level. Under Will’s leadership, EYV has achieved significant milestones, including: receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2024, being named runner-up for the Young Changemakers of the Year award at the Campaign for National Parks National Park Protector Awards, and delivering two successful Exmoor Young Voices Summits. Exmoor Young Voices extends heartfelt thanks to Will for his incredible leadership, commitment, and countless hours of voluntary service. The charity simply wouldn’t be where it is today without his vision, dedication, and drive. Leslie Silverlock, Exmoor Young Voices’ Co-Founder & Adviser said: “We are delighted that Will is continuing as Chair of Trustees. His knowledge of Exmoor, its people, family and young people’s circumstances, the construction trades, environment and regulations, built over the last 15 years is outstanding. His continuing role is vital to the National Park, Councils, Housing Associations and charities, public authorities, Parishes and especially Exmoor's future generations, who struggle to continue living, working and sustaining Exmoor.” Taking over as Chair is Robyn Gummer, one of EYV’s original committee members and a long-standing supporter of the charity. Robyn has been a champion of young people’s voices on Exmoor since EYV’s early days; even attending her first meeting with her baby in tow, where she raised the issue of childcare challenges in rural communities. Now a mother of two young daughters, Robyn is also a Parish Councillor for Luccombe, Secretary for DLR Projects Ltd, and is currently involved in a project to create a new children’s play park in her village. Her connection to Exmoor life runs deep, and she brings a wealth of lived experience to the role. As EYV’s new Chair, Robyn brings fresh ideas and a forward-thinking perspective, with a particular passion for supporting young families and local entrepreneurs. Her energy and insight will help EYV continue to grow its reach and impact, ensuring that the voices of Exmoor’s younger generation remain heard loud and clear. Robyn Gummer said: “I’m grateful and so excited to be trusted with this opportunity. We’ve got such a strong foundation at EYV, and I’m looking forward to seeing what new ideas, projects and directions we can move towards together.” About Exmoor Young Voices Exmoor Young Voices is a registered charity working to empower young residents across Exmoor by addressing the challenges they face in housing, employment, transport, childcare and connectivity. Through raising awareness, collaboration and community projects, EYV ensures that the voices of young people continue to shape the future of Exmoor. For media enquiries, please contact: Meg Hunt, Exmoor Young Voices Coordinator [email protected]  Opportunities shouldn’t depend on where you grow up. But for many young people in rural areas like Exmoor, access to education, training, and local jobs can feel out of reach. At Exmoor Young Voices, we work to ensure young people can live, work, and thrive in the communities they love.
Yesterday, our Chair, Will Lock, attended the South-West Social Mobility Commission’s 3rd Annual Event at Taunton College Conference Centre. The event brought together people from business, education, and policy to tackle one of our region’s biggest challenges: poor social mobility. A key focus of the day was exploring how we can ensure that young people across the South West (particularly those from under-resourced or rural backgrounds) can see and access the opportunities emerging as our regional economy evolves. Delegates heard directly from young people, as well as from regional businesses nurturing talent and supporting opportunities, and from leaders driving major infrastructure projects that are shaping the local economy. Bringing Exmoor’s perspective Through our work at Exmoor Young Voices, we hear first-hand about the challenges young people face in rural areas: limited housing options, long commutes, patchy public transport, and the struggle to find stable local employment. Too often, these barriers mean young people feel forced to leave the area they love - taking with them the energy, skills, and local knowledge that our communities need to thrive. At the event, Will had the opportunity to share these realities and discuss actionable steps to help drive positive change. A shared commitment to change The South-West Social Mobility Commission’s event was more than just a conversation. It represented a shared commitment from leaders across sectors to work together on practical, lasting solutions. Exmoor Young Voices is proud to be part of this collaborative effort, ensuring that the voices of young people in rural communities are heard loud and clear. A big thank you to the South-West Social Mobility Commission for hosting such an inspiring and forward-thinking event. |
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January 2026
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