A first for Basingstoke
5 February 2007 -
The substantial construction of the main eleven storey block of affordable apartments in Basingstoke has been achieved in a record fast time, taking just over four weeks.
The apartments are part of a £20million Sentinel Housing scheme at North Houndmills in Basingstoke, built by Fleming Developments UK. The eleven storey block was constructed by utilising the innovative Fusion structural modular system, the first time it has been used in the United Kingdom. A topping out ceremony was held to mark this milestone in the project.
The scheme at Houndmills in Basingstoke, comprises of 162 apartments in three, eight and eleven storey blocks. It was originally designed to use traditional construction methods, however, PRP Architects were selected by Fleming to re-work the designs using the Fusion modular system to achieve EcoHomes 'Very Good' standard and significant time and cost savings. The scheme at Houndmills will be completed by the end of June 2007.
John Fleming, Director of the Fleming Group, said: "Progress on the Houndmills development has exceeded all expectations by using the Fusion modular system in preference to traditional construction techniques. Bringing significant time savings to the construction programme, the modules' rapid-assembly and streamlined supply chain from factory to site has also significantly reduced onsite logistics. In an urban location like Basingstoke where the site is restricted in terms of size and access, this has crucially enabled us to lessen the impact of construction on the surrounding community."
Val Bagnall, Business Director of Sentinel Housing Association and Vestal Developments, comments: "The rate of construction on this innovative housing project has been phenomenal. The time and cost savings Fleming has brought to the project by specifying the Fusion system has brought forward the date from which people can start to move in. We shall definitely consider modular construction for homes provision in the future."
Housing Corporation Director for the South East, Fiona Cruickshank, said: "I am delighted to see Housing Corporation funding supporting such an innovative project which has been completed in record time. This goes to show the difference that modern methods of construction can make to speed up the delivery of housing for those in need."
100 of the apartments will be available for rent and shared ownership through Sentinel Housing Association, whilst the remaining 62 will be sold by Fleming Developments UK.
