South Kesteven Modular Housing scheme

Project value: £2.1m

Sector: Housing (modular)

Local labour within 40 miles: 69%

Local spend within 40 miles: 88%

SME spend: 100%

SME engagement: 100%

Fair payment: 100%

These are ambitious new-style developments providing homes for those who need them most and I am delighted to say both modular housing plots are fully occupied. We are creating a better quality of life for our residents, which is part of our vision for the future of this district.

Cllr Robert Reid, South Kesteven District Council

Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning

Innovative modular housing scheme completes in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The first of its kind in the region, this innovative scheme for South Kesteven District Council comprises two modular housing developments valued at a total of £2.1m, which provides critical social housing to meet the current requirements of the local authority.

Works commenced at the two developments – Kinoulton Court and Earlesfield Lane – in late 2019, and the plots were completed in summer 2020.

The scheme was delivered through G F Tomlinson via the SCAPE Construction framework.

The 2,200 sq.ft. Earlesfield development comprises a block of four one-bedroom semi-detached apartments and Kinoulton Court is a 5,400 sq.ft. housing development comprising 10 one-bedroom apartments split into two blocks – one of which has four one-bedroom apartments and the other, six one-bedroom apartments.

Delivered by lorry to site, the houses were fitted onto prepared foundations which include functioning pipe works and electrics. This process ensures that time is saved at the construction stage, with 10 weeks of programme time being saved for this particular scheme, compared to traditional methods.

Works on both South Kesteven plots involved clearance of the sites – as Earlesfield was a small car park and Kinoulton Court, underutilised land. Prior to the installation of the modular units by local supply chain partners, Premier Modular Ltd, a full enabling groundworks package was required for each plot with foundations, drainage and a protective ground gas membrane.

The homes were then roofed and cladded on site, before external works were undertaken to each property including fenced boundaries, landscaped gardens, carparking and footpaths.

Taking a flexible approach, the traditional timber truss roofs and slate tiling was completed on site due to restrictions with transporting overly large modular building sections through the narrow residential streets.

External elevations were fitted with insulation and brick slips, and all internal finishes were completed by Premier Modular Ltd including UPVC glazing, mechanical and electrical works, plastering, decorations, flooring and commissioning.

Craig Stopper, framework manager at G F Tomlinson said: “The modular housing plots were completed on-time and to a high standard which is a testament to our project teams and local supply chain partners, who have quickly adapted to the new guidelines which have been introduced as a result of the pandemic, to ensure safe working and social distancing on site."

There has been a huge increase in the demand for modular construction as an energy efficient, comprehensive solution for social housing, that provides high-quality, affordable, easily accessible and adaptable accommodation.
As modular sites are relatively unaffected by environmental delays such as bad weather – less logistical transport is required for materials which is more environmentally friendly and generates less waste.

100%

SME engagement

88%

Local spend within 40 miles

10 weeks

programme time saved