Ebbsfleet Garden City will lead the way in the production of modern new homes after plans for a state-of-the-art factory which will make up to 1,000 properties a year were approved.
Berkeley Group was given approval by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s planning committee to build a 150,000sqft manufacturing facility and a 15,500sqft office building on a ten-acre site in Northfleet.
It will produce finished modules complete with plumbing, electrics, and internal finishing, including flooring and fittings that can be configured to form new homes.
The development will create up to 240 jobs that will include opportunities for full-time, direct employment and training for local people.
Modular construction is seen as a way of speeding up housing delivery with high quality completed units sent to the building site, reducing the amount of time it takes to build a property by up to 50 per cent.
Ian Piper, Chief Executive of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, said: “Modular construction is helping to speed up the delivery of new homes in the UK and with Berkeley recognised as one of the country’s leading developers we are pleased it has chosen Ebbsfleet Garden City as the place it wants to produce its modern new homes.”
Tony Pidgley CBE, Chairman of the Berkeley Group, said:
“Given the skill shortages we are facing, speed of production and the impact on labour are vital issues for the future of our industry. But the real driver for Berkeley is the quality we can achieve with modular housing. It will help us create fantastic homes for our customers where they can live comfortably in a beautiful setting. That is what will really drive demand and create value for our business, as well as build fantastic communities for people in the future.”
The site, in Northfleet East, is in the North Kent Enterprise Zone and Berkeley becomes the first company to locate within it at Ebbsfleet Garden City.
The planning committee recently approved plans for 600 new homes in Northfleet East by Keepmoat in a scheme that will transform that area along the River Thames.
More than 200 new homes were also approved tonight in a separate scheme near Ingress Park.
The committee gave approval for 220 homes by Swanscombe Development LLP on a site near London Road in Swanscombe known as Croxton and Garry.
More than 800 new homes have now been completed in Ebbsfleet Garden City as well as a new primary school and restaurant and pub.
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