Live webchat with Kevin 'Grand Designs' McCloud, Tuesday 23 July, 8.30 to 9.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted that Kevin McCloud is visiting Mumsnet HQ for another webchat on Tuesday 23 July at 8.30pm. He joined us for a webchat back in June 2011 when he talked to about (amongst other things) Grand Designs, solar panels and dealing with bats in the attic.

This time Kevin will be joining us to tell us about his latest ventures with his company Hab Housing. As well as continuing to build beautiful sustainable homes across the UK, they are also developing a new arm that will let him guide, coax and aid people as they build their own dream home. Kevin wants to explain why he's put out a call to the masses for crowd funding investment to grow his company, Hab Housing, rather than via traditional routes.

Join Kevin to quiz him about his latest ventures, get his advice on home improvements and ask him about your favourite Grand Design on Tuesday at 8.30pm. If you're unable to make it, post a question in advance to this thread.

@EmmasMumHelen

I am a huge fan of Grand Designs and hope to see swathes of your company's housing across the country to become what should one day be referred to as 'Windsor HAB'! However, and notwithstanding your current refurbishment project, should we not be retrofitting the thousands of properties which are currently sitting empty rather than building new? The decision to bulldoze the terraces in Liverpool today is a point in question. PS. Don't forget to come and see Preston Bus Station before it too gets demolished!

As far as I'm concerned Preston Bus Station won't get demolished. It's too good. And you're right about refurbishment because most of the 26 million homes in the UK will still be here in 2050. The difficulty with the overcapacity of housing stock in parts of northern England is that jobs are not currently where the houses are. It's a complicated issue but one fundamentally of supply and demand, in the right place. Meantime, there aren't enough homes in the south.
We could move several million people northwards, or maybe we could invade France. Again.

@LadyMilfordHaven

i like a man with a casual attitude to facial hair removal

LadyMilfordHaven, I know you're not referring to me as I like to keep everything in trim.

Didn't Westminster have a plan to move lots of their expensive council tenants to Peterborough... don't think it went down well from either side!

@HenWithAttitude

Is their a time period of building that you really hate

Ooh, hate's a strong word. I'm not so enamoured with stuff built after the 70s, but maybe we'll look back in 30 years with fondness at the quality and design of our housing stock of the late twentieth century. Or maybe not.

arches eyebrow

everything?

Thank you, Sir. Keep up the good work. Hope to get me one of your self-builds in my back garden one day!

that wasn't me.
sips Gin sling

70s houses had not only hatches but ace gardens

Thanks to all those who've joined us tonight for the webchat and big thanks to Kevin and SimonHabHousing for venturing into MNHQ tonight to answer your questions.

and i love kevin you, Po

simon - say something QUICK - Mccloud has hogged the WHOLE SHOW

Bye Kevin! See you again next time.

It's 9.30 and it's now time for me to go and drink something with my hairy sidekick Simon.
Thanks to everyone and especially to the fragrant LadyMilfordHaven and clearly tipsy LifeofPo for your contributions. It's been really good fun at this end. I will sign off with another entreaty to visit our crowdcube page if you're interested (www.crowdcube.com/investment/hab-housing-limited-13069 ). Or visit our website - habhousing.co.uk

All strength to the Mumsnet network of chintz and bifold door lovers everywhere (and even plastic windows).

@LadyMilfordHaven

simon - say something QUICK - Mccloud has hogged the WHOLE SHOW

Simon says: He's always like that but thanks for noticing me x

thanks Kevin - we find it best not to mention her problem. @po

This is the funniest web chat ever.

Fuck it. I not only missed this, I won't for the wrong bloody ear.

Nice friendly and very informative chat though.

thanks

@ Mardy! I missed it too :(

Thanks for the advice though Kevin (in case he comes back to read) :)