FLAT PACK FIX
Pre-built homes with kitchens and bathrooms are lowered into empty building – but could they fix the housing crisis?
LAST night in Bristol, pre-built flats complete with bathrooms and kitchens were lowered by crane into a former nightclub.
The new homes were built in a factory, fully fitted out and decorated and then lowered into the 1950s building which has been standing empty for three years.
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Modular construction, where homes are manufactured and fitted elsewhere and then put into place ready-made, has been heralded as one possible solution to the housing crisis.
It's been used successfully in new build greenfield sites before, but this is thought to be the first time that ready-made homes have been fitted into an older building.
It's a popular construction technique with some developers, who say the homes take less time to build, cause less bother for neighbours and have fewer teething problems.
Currently, the UK is suffering from a housing crisis and not enough new homes are being built.
Research from Insulation Express found that despite the government’s plans to build 300,000 homes annually by 2025, the current sector can only deliver 183,000 and only 22 per cent of these would be affordable.
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The hope is that innovative techniques such as modular construction can help to meet the demand for inexpensive homes.
Insulation Express's research found that that prices for modular homes start at around £25,000 each, 11 per cent of the UK's average house price.
Even better, ready-made houses can be built in as little as three days, while a traditional build takes 32 weeks on average and is often delayed by weather.
Finally, as lots of the building is done on a production line, it's easier to train staff, overcoming the declining construction workforce.
And the new Bristol development shows how the approach can be applied to oversubscribed city centres.
Bristol developer Urban Creation bought 50 Park Street in 2018 and has partnered with construction specialist Go Modular to create the new block of flats.
Now, the former dance club will be home to nine new apartments including including two three-bedroom flats, five one-bedroom duplexes - with an upper bedroom area - and two studios.
The new bespoke flats are being driven on a lorry from the factory in Southampton where they were built and are being lowered into place through the open roof, using a crane.
They will be let to the student market, ready for occupation in September.
The Sun has asked Urban Creation how much the boutique flats are likely to cost and will update this article when we hear back.
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This isn't the first time factory-built homes have been mooted as the solution to Britain's housing woes.
Last month, IKEA said it would build up to 160 new homes in the seaside town of Worthing.
IKEA-owned developer BoKlok has already built 11,000 factory-built homes throughout Sweden, Finland and Norway.
Urban Creation's owner, Jonathan Brecknell, said: "Modular construction is set to revolutionise the future of home building in the UK.
"There's potential for modular homes to be delivered much quicker than traditional homes, putting less pressure on our stretched construction skills pool.
"They're created in a controlled environment, meaning the construction programme isn't at the mercy of adverse weather - plus there are fewer snagging issues.
"Not to mention the fact that it causes less disruption to neighbours as most of the build is carried out off-site."
A recent survey by the Federation of Master Builders found that housebuilders were struggling to recruit skilled workers.
60 per cent say they are struggling to hire bricklayers, while 54 per cent say they are having trouble hiring carpenters and joiners.
What help is out there for first-time buyers?
GETTING on the property ladder can feel like a daunting task but there are schemes out there to help first-time buyers have their own home.
Help to Buy Isa - It's a tax-free savings account where for every £200 you save, the Government will add an extra £50. But there's a maximum limit of £3,000 which is paid to your solicitor when you move.
Help to Buy equity loan - The Government will lend you up to 20 per cent of the home's value - or 40 per cent in London - after you've put down a five per cent deposit. The loan is on top of a normal mortgage but it can only be used to buy a new build property.
Lifetime Isa - This is another Government scheme that gives anyone aged 18 to 39 the chance to save tax-free and get a bonus of up to £32,000 towards their first home. You can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add 25 per cent on top.
Shared ownership - Co-owning with a housing association means you can buy a part of the property and pay rent on the remaining amount. You can buy anything from 25 to 75 per cent of the property but you're restricted to specific ones.
"First dibs" in London - London Mayor Sadiq Khan is working on a scheme that will restrict sales of all new-build homes in the capital up to £350,000 to UK buyers for three months before any overseas marketing can take place.
Starter Home Initiative - A Government scheme that will see 200,000 new-build homes in England sold to first-time buyers with a 20 per cent discount by 2020. To receive updates on the progress of these homes you can register your interest on the website.
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