Modular housing could speed up housebuilding across Sedgemoor if pilot project is successful

Sedgemoor District Council is incorporating modular housing into one of its proposed building projects, converting up to 15 garages into a range of different properties.

If the homes are deemed to be financially viable and meet the needs of residents, modular homes of varying types and sizes could start popping up all over the district in the years ahead.

The council has also confirmed that the redevelopment of Bridgwater’s cattle market will include some modular homes.

Nick Draper, the council’s housing development officer, addressed the issue at a corporate scrutiny committee meeting in Bridgwater on Monday afternoon (March 11).

The council’s current housebuilding programme includes turning the former Withycutter pub in Bridgwater into three houses and 13 flats, and creating 36 new flats in the former Penlea House – both of which will be completed before the end of the year.

But the council is also about to submit plans to create 15 modular units on existing garage sides, ranging from bungalows to three-bedroom houses.

Mr Draper said: “We are already starting to explore how modular housing can be built into our programme.”

Modular houses are typically made of panels of steel or timber, or pre-cast concrete panels and foundations.

These are constructed to order at an off-site location to a factory standard, transported to the site and then assembled by construction workers.

Mr Draper said construction times for modular homes could be around half the amount of a standard new-build property, and had a lifespan of between 60 and 100 years depending upon the materials used.

He added: “Their energy performance is superior to standard homes. Cost ranges are comparable and in some cases cheaper, and there is less disruption during the construction period.

“Once modular becomes more mainstream, the costs will reduce. We can put multiple schemes in the pipeline, meaning we can buy in bulk which reduces the cost.”

Mr Draper said different methods of construction would be piloted, but they would require the right kind of site, be completely feasible and above all financially viable for both the council and potential tenants or buyers.

He said: “Clearly these aren’t going to fit in the middle of an existing estate.

“What we want to do is to consult with planners at the outset. Because they can be slightly out of the norm, we need our planners to be engaged and involved, and we must consider the end user.

“Some types will fit on certain sites and in certain surroundings and not others, but because there is the range it gives us the flexibility to do something different.”

The council’s pilot will assess the new properties on a range of factors, including maintenance cost, fuel efficiency, how functional they are and whether they are attractive for homeowners or tenants.

Modular housing will be included within the council’s new housing development strategy, which will defined what types and sizes of homes will be delivered in different settlements over the coming years.

Mr Draper added: “We’re not looking at any specific age range. We want to make sure that we’re catering for everybody.

“With the garage schemes, we are entering into using modular building for the first time. They will be a traditional style of building, but they will be shipped in on the back of a lorry.

“We want to invest in something which is going to have a long shelf life.”

Mr Draper also confirmed that part of the Bridgwater cattle market site will include modular housing.

Work began in May 2018 to redevelop the site, with the council working with developer Keepmoat Homes to deliver 159 homes at an overall cost of £25M.

Mr Draper added: “We will be looking at what is sympathetic to a given area.”