New modular homes could help solve both the climate and housing crises.
A partnership between the WElink Group and housing association Your Housing Group (YHG) could result in 25,000 of the low carbon buildings being built each year by 2022.
The £2.5 billion deal, which also involves Barcelona Housing Systems and investment from the China National Building Material Company (CNBM), has the potential to help deliver the UK Government’s target of building a million new homes before 2020.
The buildings feature solar panels and a range of energy efficiency devices to achieve a potential 75% off-grid capacity.
They are low carbon in construction as well as operation, as they use steel and composites from Britain.
Housing Minister, Gavin Barwell, said: “This joint venture shows the potential modular construction has to meet the UK’s housing needs and help build a country that works for everyone.
“This Government is committed to delivering a more diverse and innovative housebuilding sector and our £3 billion Home Building Fund will encourage more pioneering house building projects and partnerships like this one.”