A ribbon cutting ceremony has been held to mark the completion of 40 new homes at Cripps Avenue in Peacehaven, East Sussex.
The site has been completed by a partnership between social housing provider Stonewater and modular construction company Boutique Modern, with support from Lewes District Council.
It provides 40 energy-efficient modular homes for “affordable” rent, constructed just three miles from the development site using modern methods of construction (MMC).
Members of the design and construction team joined Stonewater to mark the completion of the site, which is said to have brought significant benefits to the local economy. This includes more than £3.5m being spent with local businesses, suppliers and subcontractors within the district, and the creation of 14 new full-time construction roles.
Naomi Mooney, Stonewater’s development manager, said: “We’re incredibly proud of this development, and the opportunity it has given us to provide a high number of wonderful homes for customers while reducing the impact on the environment of constructing much needed new affordable homes.
“It’s wonderful to see the site complete, with our poppy sculpture providing a lovely focal point, and to know that not only are customers benefiting from warm, high-quality homes but that they are already seeing a reduction in energy bills too.”
The new homes – nine one- and two-bedroom flats and 31 two- and three-bedroom houses – will also benefit their residents with each home being built with energy-efficiency and lower fuel bills in mind.
The Cripps Avenue homes have been built on the site of a former plant hire business and derelict property in Peacehaven. It now boasts not only the new homes, but a new feature in the form of a sculpture commissioned by Stonewater.
The sculpture, created by local artist Rich Dean, who works from his studio in Newhaven, is named Ascension of the Fallen and contains 1,000 stainless steel poppies. It was created in memory of those involved in the First World War, at which time Peacehaven had strong connections with the armed forces.
Dick Shone, managing director at Boutique Modern, said: “It’s been fantastic to collaborate with Stonewater on this project, a company which has similar ambitions to us regarding sustainability and social value.
“There are so many reasons why we need to embrace modular construction. It’s a greener choice, generating less waste and boasting a smaller carbon footprint than traditional methods, and Cripps Avenue is a great example of how low-impact modular housing can make an architectural statement as well as improving communities and people’s lives, without hurting the planet.”
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