CAN you build a house in Devon for less than £30,000? One Okehampton doctor has recently proved you can — and hopes to provide just the tonic for first time buyers.

Okehampton GP Paul Nielson has succeeded in building a house big enough for a small family and made out of traditional materials on the self-imposed budget, creating a lot of interest in the process.

Since the house was featured on local TV last week, the GP has received around 150 telephone calls from people interested in finding out more about the innovative project.

In just one Sunday, Dr Nielson showed nearly 100 people around the pioneering house project.

'There were a lot of different people, young people who can't afford to buy their own home, farmers' sons, retired people looking for something smaller, as well as parents of first time buyers.

'They were very keen to support the objective of good quality housing at a low cost,' he said.

Dr Nielson embarked on the project to prove a good quality house could be built without breaking the bank after listening to the concerns of patients who came into his surgery.

Dr Nielson said many young people on low incomes told him they were being forced out of the area by high prices and a lack of affordable property.

He said the social impact of the affordable housing problem could not be overstated.

'I think we are in danger of a whole generation becoming disenfranchised, because young people are trying to get onto the housing market, but they can't while house prices in rural areas keep rising.

'We could be left with ghost towns. It is not healthy for rural life, it is a big issue which is complex, but we are trying to work out solutions,' he said.

Dr Nielson began the project 18 months ago, and it took him just five weeks to complete the building itself.

Two people helped with the construction, but amazingly, the oak frames for the building were put up in just one day!

The house is on Dr Nielson's own land and is currently being used as a holiday home, but he is now keen to expand the scheme by setting up a specialist business.

Dr Nielson said the company would be made up of people interested in giving first-time buyers a chance to secure their own homes.

He said the company would have several roles: 'To try and persuade councils to free up land for self-build, to act as an advice service but also manufacture houses with a good aesthetic design which will last.'

Dr Nielson acknowledged the initial project had been a success because the land was his own and he was given support by sympathetic planners.

For more information contact Dr Nielson on 01837 811150.