‘Pod’ design makes for quality pads

11:05am Sunday 24th August 2008

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HOUSING leaders from across the South East gathered in Basingstoke to mark the grand opening of a new apartment block built using technology never seen before in the UK.

The 162 apartments in Priestley Road, built by Fleming Developments UK Ltd for Sentinel Housing Association, were created using "pod" construction.

This means the individual properties arrive on site already made - with all plumbing and electrical fittings pre-installed - so they can be quickly stacked together into blocks.

The development cost £20million, including £4million in Government funding from the Housing Corporation.

It was officially opened by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor George Hood, at a barbecue party for residents and invited guests.

It is the first time this pod system has been used in the UK and, during construction, Fleming Developments was able to build one storey per day.

This method can also cut wastage by up to 50 per cent compared with traditional construction methods.

Martin Nurse, Sentinel's chief executive, said: "This is another example of Basingstoke shaping the future in pioneering new approaches to construction, to make sure we do our bit to provide energy-efficient homes, cut unnecessary wastage and keep costs down. It's a real win-win for residents and for us."

Iain Thayne, Fleming Developments' chief executive, added: "The need to provide quality homes while utilising modern methods of construction will continue to be a driving factor in the housing sector.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sentinel and believe we have demonstrated that our modular system can deliver effective benefits and is no barrier in providing a quality place to live."