A factory which can turn out 1,000 modular homes a year could be coming to the Hoo Peninsula – creating 250 jobs in the process.
Housebuilders Berkeley Homes announced last year they were looking to set up a site on the Kingsnorth Industrial Estate where modular homes would be constructed. The company has now submitted its plans to Medway Council. If they go ahead, the proposed 35-acre site off Eschol Road would generate 250 permanent jobs. Modular homes are pre-built off site in a factory. Homes are made in sections and then delivered to the building site. According to Berkeley, its homes can be delivered at a faster pace than conventional building methods, and are designed to be energy efficient. The firm previously said the factory could turn out 1,000 homes a year. A report submitted to the council says: "The proposals will help enable Berkeley to remain at the forefront of well-designed energy efficient homes. "Berkeley's pioneering volumetric modular housing technology provides the means to help achieve this." As well as the factory, the plans include offices, a canteen, gym, prayer room, training and meeting rooms, electric vehicle charging points, and a shuttle bus service for employees. The buildings would feature solar panels and air source heat pumps. The plans are due to be discussed by Tuesday, May 9. The same firm opened a factory in Northfleet in 2021, which was visited by the Prime Minister Liz Truss last year.
Source: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/
