Apr 11 2006
Work is about to start on the first sites as part of the Design for Manufacture competition – the challenge to construct a good quality home for £60,000. This follows planning approval and the signing of legal agreements for two competition sites.
The agreements mean that since the competition was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, last April, more than 300 homes have been designed and received planning permission, with development work now starting on site. Almost 700 homes will also be created across another eight competition sites.
Commenting on the progress of the Competition, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said, “Since I launched the Design for Manufacture competition 12 months ago, the progress of this project has been remarkable. When I first challenged the construction industry to build a quality two bedroom home for £60,000, there were many people who claimed it just could not be done. I now look forward to seeing these cutting-edge homes taking shape soon across the country as well as visiting some as they open their doors to new residents.
“For all those sceptics who doubted we could rise to this challenge, we will be hosting an exhibition in May, to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the developers, designers and contractors who have proved that with a bit of imagination, hard work and commitment - affordable, high quality, and environmentally friendly design is perfectly achievable."
Construction work will soon begin on sites at Allerton Bywater, near Leeds and Upton, Northampton by Barratt Developments Plc.
Trevor Beattie, Corporate Strategy Director for English Partnerships, which is responsible for running the Design for Manufacture competition on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said, “The fact we are ready to start construction works on two sites within a year of the competition being launched illustrates just what can be achieved by the private and public sectors working together. We set tight deadlines for this challenge and have proved they can be met without sacrificing quality.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the first phases of these exciting new developments being completed over the coming months.”
Design for Manufacture homes demonstrate the highest standards of quality and design. Across these two sites, 96 homes will be built for a construction cost of £60,000. The remainder will be a mix of smaller and larger homes constructed with similar cost efficiencies. A minimum of 30 per cent of homes on each competition site will be built to a construction cost of £60,000. Each of the developments will create mixed-tenure communities, including homes for sale, rent, social housing and for first time buyers under a shared equity scheme.
The home designs are innovative with features such as high energy efficiency and flexible layouts.
Planning applications are currently being submitted for the remaining competition sites. It is anticipated that the use of detailed development briefs will play a key role in helping these applications move swiftly through the planning system. English Partnerships has been working closely with the relevant local councils to develop briefs designed to help developers know what is acceptable to local planning authorities.
A public exhibition to showcase the home designs generated through the competition is taking place between 15-20 May 2006 at the Building Centre in London.