BASINGSTOKE, UK - Housing experts gathered in Basingstoke last week to find out how new developments can be built quicker and more cost effectively using new technology. Sentinel Housing Association and Fleming Developments have just completed 162 apartments in Houndmills using 'pod' construction, where the individual properties arrive on site ready made and are stacked together into blocks.
The pods cut wastage by up to 50% on traditional building methods, and arrive on site with all plumbing, electrical fittings and other fixtures pre-installed. It's the first time this pod system has been used in the UK, and during construction Flemings was able to build one storey per day.
The £20m project, including £4 million of government funding from the Housing Corporation - is fast becoming a talking point in the property sector, where rising material costs, and tighter credit market means more imaginative ways are needed to keep costs down. As a result, around 50 property and planning experts were expected for the official opening last week.
Sentinel Chief Executive Martin Nurse said: "This is another example of Basingstoke shaping the future, in pioneering new approaches to construction to make sure we do our bit to provide energy efficient homes, cut unnecessary wastage and keep costs down. It's a real win win for residents and for us." Fleming Developments Chief Executive Iain Thayne added: "The need to provide quality homes whilst utilising modern methods of construction will continue to be a driving factor in the housing sector.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sentinel and believe in Houndmills we have demonstrated that our modular system can deliver real effective benefits and is no barrier in providing a real quality place to live." Situated close to Basingstoke's hospital, the 1.1hectare site received planning consent in June 2006, after Sentinel won a design competition run by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.
Housing Corporation Head of Investment South East Paul Abey added: "I am pleased that over £4 million of our funding is helping to provide 58 much needed one and two-bed apartments for rent in Basingstoke. The use of an innovative pod system has enabled the scheme to be built in a shorter time scale. "This innovation, together with its various energy saving features, has produced a quality development that will play a significant part in meeting the needs of local people and families."
Source: 24dash.com