Seventy three affordable modular homes are to be created close to Blackburn town centre as part of a deal between Places for People and Homes England. Funded through Places for People's Strategic Partnership with Homes England, the development will bring new timber-framed homes to a site off Alaska Street, just south of Blackburn town centre. All of the two, three and four bedroom homes will be created offsite at Places for People's Modularwise factory in Wales, using pre-manufactured modular construction techniques.
Places for People was selected as one of Homes England's first strategic partners in July last year, receiving £74million in funding to help deliver 2,603 additional affordable homes by 2024.
The Alaska Street development is being created as part of Places for People's broader strategy which has seen it increase its commitment to offsite construction - including its recent announcement of a partnership with ilke Homes, the modular sector's biggest ever deal. David Cowans, Chief Executive of Places for People, said: "We are delighted to announce more details of this development, which will pave the way for the creation of affordable homes for the local community in Blackburn. Our recent efforts show how Places for People is embracing modern methods of construction as we strategically invest in modular, finding new ways to deliver better, well-designed and affordable homes in the process."
The investment from Homes England comes following the organisation's increasing support of offsite construction. Chris Groves, General Manager for MMC at Homes England explained: "MMC have the potential to be significantly more productive than traditional building methods and greatly increase the pace at which new homes are delivered. In October, Homes England published its strategic five year plan that makes the take up of MMC a requirement for developers on our sites. We use strategic partnerships, like that with Places for People, to support our partners in adopting MMC and help create affordable homes that towns like Blackburn need."
Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Growth and Development at Blackburn and Darwen Council, added: "This project will bring affordable, modern homes to Blackburn, and increase choice for people in the borough. It will also contribute to the wider regeneration of the area and add to the great home building taking place. The redevelopment of Alaska Street has been a priority for the regeneration of South Blackburn for a number of years and we are delighted that work can now progress."
Places for People is a leading placemaker in the UK. It believes that places work when they work for everyone, and these places are designed for the long term, with heart and soul, and sustainable value at their core. Taking a commercial approach to delivering social impact is what makes Places for People different.
