SELF-BUILD houses and entrepreneurial spirit scooped Cherwell District Council two national accolades in one night.

The council was praised for its "strategic approach" to new developments across the district by the Local Government Chronicle at its 20th annual awards ceremony.

Judges highlighted the proposed Graven Hill development south of Bicester which is set to become the largest "self-built" estate in the UK.

Residents will be invited to buy one of 1,900 plots on the former Ministry of Defence land and build their own homes.

Cherwell District Council leader Barry Wood said: "Our submissions outlined the key areas where we have made significant progress including large scale regeneration, the successful creation of the "Build!" developer brand and the purchase of Graven Hill in Bicester which will open up 1,900 self-build opportunities.

"We also highlighted our reduced reliance on central Government for income through the ability to secure significant funding and the establishment of commercial trading companies."

These national entries secured the district council the "most entrepreneurial council of the year" title and the "council with the best housing initiative" award from the Local Government Chronicle.

The district council was recognised for its future-proof planning and its work with the private sector.

The council's entry for best housing initiative category included Build! projects such as creating affordable housing which encourages buyers to do some of the building themselves to help reduce the purchase or rental prices.

This has targeted areas such as Kingsmere and Gardeners Close in London Road in Bicester and Broughton Road and Hope Close in Banbury.

Local Government Chronicle award judges said: "With regards to the entrepreneurial council title, Cherwell District Council's organisation-wide initiative to become an entrepreneurial council was hugely impressive, with a range of projects that impact and support.

"This council adopted a well-rounded strategic approach with an innovative approach to creating housing choice."

Bicester was announced as the UK’s next Garden City by government in 2014 and with that came plans for 15,000 new homes by 2031.

Part of those developments include the North West Bicester eco-town which was given Government backing in 2009 and will see 6,000 sustainable homes built over a 20-30 year period.

Graven Hill has attracted national media attention, as the former MoD site is in the pipeline for a documentary presented by Kevin McCloud.

The self-build community will give residents the chance to build their own dream homes varying from kit homes to custom build projects designed by the owner.

Across town new homes have also been created at Kingsmere, on farmland off of Middleton Stoney Road and Oxford Road, with plans to take this number up to 2,500.