Prefab Sprouts in Brook Green

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New construction method could be used on 100 new homes

Rapidly built homes that fit into tight urban spaces are set to be constructed on council land in the borough.

The homes are made of pre-made panels in a factory off-site, before being winched into position in a matter of days.

Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council has chosen the Spring Vale Estate in Brook Green as a pilot site and intends to build up to 12 new homes of various sizes using this method of construction. Further sites have been identified and could lead to the construction of up to 100 new homes.

A home built in this way already exists in the borough. The three-bedroom ‘Rational House’ at Biscay Road, Hammersmith took just 11 days to erect last year. The property has now been sold.

The rooms can be changed in size once built to allow for changing family structures and ages.

This initiative is one component of H&F Council’s new housing company which aims to provide new affordable homes. A proportion of the new homes will be sold at a discounted market rate.

Cllr Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said: “This is an innovative way to provide quality homes, fit for modern living at affordable costs. Hammersmith & Fulham is one of the most densely populated boroughs in the country but there is a distinct lack of housing for the middle market. This scheme will lead to the construction of exemplary family homes that can also fit into tight urban spaces and is perfect for a congested city like London.

“This council is committed to creating a borough of housing opportunity, where decent, hard-working local residents can fulfil their housing dreams and purchase a property for a reasonable price. If other local authorities were to follow our lead and build homes like this on their own land it would have a significant impact London’s housing crisis and could help thousands of people into home ownership.“

As well as being one of the quickest methods of building homes, as most of the construction work is done off-site in a factory, the impact on the local community in terms of noise, dust and traffic movements is kept to a minimum.

In order to build the homes, a recommendation has been made to the Council’s Cabinet to establish a framework for innovative house building using modern methods of construction and for the appointment of City Homes Projects Limited (a subsidiary of Rational House) as the single provider of the homes. Cabinet will consider the recommendation on Monday, December 10.

If approved, the council will carry out a consultation with residents living close to the proposed Spring Vale Estate site.

 

November 29, 2012