Plans for 40 modular homes in Peacehaven revealed

Social housing provider Stonewater has partnered with Boutique Modern, a local modular buildings manufacturer, to create the development in Cripps Avenue, with the support of Lewes District Council and Baily Garner.

The modular homes will be built using modern methods of construction (MMC) in Boutique Modern’s factory in Newhaven which is based around three miles from the planned development.

This short distance between the construction factory and the development site means the entire project, from the build process through to the transportation of the completed homes, will be as carbon efficient as possible.

The site in Peacehaven was formerly home to a family-run plant hire company, which closed its doors in April 2019

A total of 31 homes will be built on this site, comprising three one-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom flats, thirteen two-bedroom houses and nine three-bedroom houses, and will be available for affordable rent.

Stonewater acquired the land with planning consent to redevelop the area into affordable homes and also purchased a derelict resident property, adjacent to the site, to provide a further nine homes – seven two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses – also for affordable rent.

Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (South and West) at Stonewater, said: “When working with any new partner it’s important to us that we team up with businesses and organisations that share our values and are aligned on our commitment to providing high-quality affordable homes.

“Not only is Boutique Modern able to build truly sustainable homes that ensure each home’s energy performance is optimised to maximise fuel efficiency for our customers, but its local scale delivery model is focussed on maximising the social value of all its developments – something that is also important to us.

“By developing these new homes, we’ll not only be improving people’s lives and providing them with the opportunity to get their foot on the property ladder or have a place that they can proudly call home, but we’ll be supporting the region’s local economy and utilising its supply chain to create new opportunities for local people.”

As a result of the partnership and to support Boutique Modern in delivering the project, the modular homes manufacturer will also be employing three new apprentices.

Os Kamil, Associate Partner and Employers Agent at Baily Garner, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Stonewater and Boutique Modern providing Employer’s Agent and Quality Control Inspector services for this project.

“Creating a collaborative relationship with a modular supplier really helps address many of the blockages in today’s industry that can prevent delivery of consistent high quality and energy efficient new homes.

“To form such a relationship with a local ‘B Corp’ manufacturer so close to the site, which really leverages all the social value benefits that are not always available through MMC, is really exciting.”

As part of its quality assurance, Boutique Modern undertakes frequent ‘health checks’ on the materials used to manufacture its homes.

While the company is working towards removing all inherent plastics in the insulation and other materials used to construct its homes, no single-use plastic will be used to develop Stonewater’s modular home scheme.

Lucas Shone, Project Director at Boutique Modern, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Stonewater on this project.

“It’s fantastic to be working with a company whose core values align so closely with our own.

“We’re excited to get started on the scheme which we hope will be the first of many local projects for the partnership.”