Eco self-build project in Kinver shortlisted for top award

Little Gem, built just off The Compa, has made the finals of The Daily Telegraph Homebuilding and Renovating Awards 2021.

Little Gem - built just off The Compa in Kinver

Patsy Parr, aged 28, commissioned the project to turn an abandoned workshop tucked away in the village into an eco-friendly and affordable first home.

Little Gem - side view by woods

Working with architects Eclipse and specialist oak frame company Enville Oak, based in Enville, she managed to build the quirky home for £191,000.

Patsy Parr inside her eco-friendly oak framed new build in Kinver

Patsy, who battled through two years of planning negotiations to bring the project to fruition, said: “It was very challenging. The site is sloping, there are lots of protected trees and it was a very tight, small space we were building on. And of course, there was Covid.

“The lads from Enville Oak were supportive and did what was asked of them. We worked together really, really well.”

Enville Oak was started in a back garden by colleagues and friends Ben Turley and Ben Fern who moved to a yard at the working Enville family estate three years ago.

The Enville Oak yard

Word quickly spread about their traditional solid oak frames, which are handmade on the estate.

Company secretary Rose McMahon said: “Commercially we had worked on much larger projects but Patsy’s was the first we had been involved in from the planning stage.

Patsy Parr

"It was a really nice experience working with Patsy, she’s certainly the youngest project manager we have dealt with. She was incredibly efficient, the project was very well co-ordinated and she knew exactly what she wanted."

Inside Little Gem

The lounge at Little Gem

The project is among 23 shortlisted for the Home of the Year 2021 award.

To see them all and vote for your favourite click the link above.

Voting closes October 4 and the winner will be announced December 2.

The winner will receive £1,000 of John Lewis vouchers.