PfP and ilke ink £100m modular homes deal

Places for People and ilke Homes have partnered to deliver 750 homes in a £100m modular housing deal. The deal is the largest UK modular housing commitment to date. PfP will purchase 500 homes for delivery on sites it owns and 250 for new schemes from Yorkshire-based ilke Homes. David Cowans, chief executive of Places for People, said: “Partnering with a proven modular business such as ilke allows us to create more affordable, well-designed homes across the country – speeding up delivery, cutting costs and giving our customers unrivalled choice and quality.” Cowans said PfP would invest further funds in modular housing and would look to create new design techniques to deliver customisable homes in the near future. Dave Sheridan, executive chairman at ilke Homes, said: “A mature OSM market could create an ‘Uber moment’ for construction. “Our deal with Places for People will help continue to grow our capacity and is a huge vote of confidence in modular housing.” Sir Edward Lister, chair of Homes England, said: “It’s exciting to see two of our partners joining forces to increase the capacity of the off-site manufacturing industry and deliver much-needed new homes. “This kind of innovation in the private sector is exactly what we need to see more of to disrupt the housing market and meet the country’s housing demand.” Housing minister Kit Malthouse said: “This is excellent news as the UK blazes a trail in the modern methods of construction that are transforming homebuilding. Today’s announcement supports our urgent mission to deliver more, better and faster home construction to ensure a new generation can realise the dream of home ownership.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette