Officials have visited the Totally Modular Factory to see progress of the multi-million pound contract for a variety of developments across Coventry for Citizen Housing in partnership with Coventry City Council and Homes England.
The guests were able to walk round the factory seeing various homes in different stages of production from initial steel frame assembly to near completion, ready for transport to site.
Following the success of their award-winning pilot scheme development in Littlethorpe, Coventry delivered by Totally Modular for Citizen, the two companies have entered into contract for a second time, this time for a series of developments across a number of sites in Coventry. The homes will range from one-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom homes. The developments are situated at current garage infill sites, which are located throughout Coventry, West Midlands on existing brownfield land.
The factory was visited by representatives including Executive Director of Development at Citizen Nick Byrne, Director of Development at Citizen Richard Whittaker, Assistant Director at Homes England Sharon Kenny and Coventry City Councillor David Welsh.
The scheme will provide 24 homes on eight former garage sites in Coventry.
Citizen, one of the UK’s most trusted social housing providers, is working in partnership with Totally Modular, Homes England and Coventry City Council to deliver the development.
Work has been progressing well in the Totally Modular factory, and officials were able to see three of the bungalows at different build stages in production with the steel frame erected for one of the four bed homes.
The multi-million-pound project will see ex-garage sites regenerated into highly efficient family homes and bungalows at: Wedon Close, Bradney Green, Coleman Street, Fletchamstead Highway, Attoxhall Road, Capmartin Road, Shepherd Close and Thimbler Road.
Director of Development at Citizen Nick Byrne said: “It’s brilliant to visit the Totally Modular factory and see the homes progressing.
“Following our initial small-scale pilot, where two homes were transported to Littlethorpe, we have decided to increase scale and work on a larger pilot. These will help to provide more homes in Coventry for our customers.
“We’re pleased the homes will be A rated meaning high energy efficiency and lower energy bills for customers.
“We look forward to seeing the homes progress over the next few months.”
The homes are being built in the Totally Modular factory in Cradley Heath, near Dudley, and will be transported across to the various sites in Coventry by lorry.
The homes will then be craned into place.
There are many benefits to modular housing including high energy efficiency and reduced fuel bills. The actual running costs for the Littlethorpe pilot are approximately £1.48 a day for a three-bedroom, five-person home.
Managing Director of Totally Modular John Connolly said:
“It was great to welcome our partners Citizen, Coventry City Council and Homes England in witnessing the evolution of factory built, energy efficient affordable homes planned for delivery throughout Coventry, which could well be the biggest regeneration of garage sites throughout England.
“This pioneering delivery can solve so many issues in support of the ‘A Rated’ new housing being brought forward for the citizens of Coventry where blight, anti-social behaviour can be eradicated within the community and a sense of pride can be realised by all stakeholders.”
The development has been part funded by Homes England and Citizen will promote the bungalows to those who need to downsize their home.
Assistant Director Affordable Housing at Homes England Sharon Kenny said:
“Providing good quality homes in the communities where they’re most needed can present significant challenges, so it’s great that our Affordable Housing Programme can support a zero carbon project that’s providing creative, people-focused solutions to housing need.”
Councillor David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Coventry City Council, who visited the specialist homes in the making, added:
“We saw the success of the first pilot scheme at Littlethorpe in Willenhall and I’m delighted that we will now see a further 24 homes at eight garage sites in Coventry.
“The system used, which means homes are transported into place, is fascinating and is an important part of our strategy of tackling the housing shortage in Coventry and helping provide future homes for our people, and address homelessness.
“Modular is an efficient way of bringing brown field sites back into use. It’s great to see the way the homes are put together before being moved into their final resting place.”
The developments are due to be completed early next year.