Modular retirement scheme reaches new heights
M-AR and Housing 21 have reached a major milestone on their latest project, which when finished will be the largest net zero volumetric modular retirement living scheme in England.
They have marked the beginning of the second major phase of construction with the very first modules being craned into site at Patent House and Patent Walk in Doncaster.
Over the next week, the remaining modules will be craned in and positioned into place on site by teams from both M-AR and specialist logistics partner Lift and Locate.
All 64 modules which make up the eight retirement living bungalows and three-storey retirement living apartment block have been constructed offsite in M-AR’s factory in Hull.
The modules are delivered to site completely finished, down to the electrics, plumbing and interior paintwork. The M-AR site team will then complete the project with external cladding and landscaping.
When complete, the development will comprise six one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments alongside the eight bungalows, with the homes due to be ready for residents to move into next spring.
Deborah Hope, head of development at Housing 21, said: “This new development will provide much needed, high-quality accommodation to support local older people and their changing needs.
“One of the benefits of this kind of scheme is the connection to and feeling of community and being able to interact socially in a safe space.”
Cabinet member for Housing and Business, Councillor Glyn Jones, said: “As part of the five-year Housing Delivery Plan, we’re always looking to improve our housing offer to older people and those within our communities with physical disabilities.
“These new homes meet those objectives and local residents will benefit massively.
“We are currently facing a cost of living crisis and with residents struggling with rising costs, these homes will focus on affordable rents and energy efficiency while also protecting and enhancing the natural environment through sustainable development.”
Mark Fox manufacturing director at M-AR, said: “We’re proud to be working with Housing 21 once again on this, our third project with the team, as their ethos and values align perfectly with ours.
“As well as increasing the speed of installation and limiting disruption to the local residents around the site during construction, opting for a modular offsite build is also more sustainable, allowing us to achieve net zero status on a large scheme like this too.”
Dan Macpherson project director at Henry Riley LLP, project and cost managers, added: “Achieving net zero and being trail blazers in both modular and sustainability is something we’re very proud to have been leaders on.
“We’ve really been able to leverage the wide-ranging benefits that MMC has to offer, we believe it is critical that these benefits continue to be celebrated and developed, and we are keen to keep working to demonstrate these to the industry as a whole.”
