BRADFORD'S biggest social housing group has 'gone Dutch' for a ground breaking scheme which could point the way for a cheaper and quicker way to help tackle the district's - and Britain's - housing crisis.

In what is believed to be a first for the UK social housing sector, Incommunities is planning to build state-of-the-art modular homes in Manningham, Bradford, in a partnership with construction specialists from the Netherlands.

The homes will be factory-built in sections, including plumbing, wiring and fitting out, before being shipped and built on part of Incommunities’ development on a brownfield site on Green Lane.

Jez Lester, Incommunities assistant chief executive, asset management, said: “This sustainable housing model represents a real first for Incommunities and the city, with the majority of the build carried out off site. The only work on site involves groundworks and foundation work, constructing the exterior stonework, fitting a roof cover and service connections.

“We will be looking closely at the delivery of the model and the feedback of customers as we assess the opportunities going forward.”

MORE TOP STORIES

The pilot scheme initially involves six of the homes and Mr Lester said other UK housing associations were keen to view the new homes, which are made of concrete with a stone or brick facing.

Even with higher costs of shipping them from Holland, the modern prefabs are up to ten per cent cheaper to build than traditional homes.

Mr Lester said Incommunities, with backing from manufacturer iQwoning could look to interest a British firm to make the houses under licence which would further reduce construction costs by as much as 20 per cent over traditional methods.

"When we saw these homes and iQwoning's state-of-the-art factory we were blown away. This could provide a quick and cost-effective way of tackling the UK housing shortage," he said.

"These homes are energy efficient; sound proofed and stay cool in hot weather and warm in winter. The base can be laid within a day and they can be built in a few days. We visited one estate of 50 homes in the Netherlands which had been completed in three months."

The Bradford pilot scheme uses the latest modern construction techniques. Six factory finished 15 tonne modules plus roofing are used to form one four bedroom family home.

Funding from the Homes and Communities Agency is meeting the cost of the new houses.

Incommunities, which has its headquarters in Shipley, said it would assess reaction to the new style homes before deciding whether to use them in future developments.

Following visits to the Netherlands by Incommunities' senior development staff to assess and view pre-assembled housing schemes, group chief executive Geraldine Howley signed the deal for six homes with Johan Postma and Koos Pijnenburg from iQwoning.

Mrs Howley said: “We are really excited by the prospect of bringing this modern form of house construction to Bradford which offers shorter build times and efficiencies as well as cost savings.

“We are looking forward to working with iQwoning and Bradford Council to deliver this ground breaking project as part of our Affordable Homes Programme with the HCA.”

The concrete sections of the pre-assembled homes are due to be delivered to the site in early 2016 ready for Incommunities to release them for rent by March .

They will form part of a development of 64 homes on a former site of outdated flats.

iQwoning is part of the Dutch-based construction and engineering company Ballast Nedam.

The deputy leader of Bradford, Councillor Val Slater, whose portfolio includes housing, welcomed the trial.

She said: "I think that's very interesting. I think it's very innovative of them. I have thought for a while we ought to be looking at alternative methods, seeing as the prices of brick-built houses are going up and up."

Cllr Slater said homes built using alternative methods could often be more sustainable, which could be another plus point.

She said: "I would be really interested in this initiative and what its outcome is.

"I think it is really commendable and I look forward to seeing what happens."

The National Housing Federation, which represents social housing providers, is campaigning for more affordable housing to be built in Bradford and elsewhere across the UK.

Rob Warm, head of external affairs at the National Housing Federation, yesterday welcomed Incommunities' trial.

He said: "There is a housing crisis across Yorkshire, with families in work struggling to afford homes of all types.

"Housing associations like Incommunities are leading the way in looking at new, innovative and cost-effective ways of building much-needed housing in Bradford."

The latest residential scheme mirrors the modular approach increasingly being used in commercial and industrial development.

Ilkley-based construction and engineering group NG Bailey expects to double turnover to nearly £20 million at its Bailey Offsite factory in Oakenshaw, Bradford, which designs and produces modular buildings which are put together on site.