ilke starts work on 146 MMC homes for Wellingborough

Modular housing firm ilke Homes has started work to deliver 146 energy-efficient, affordable homes at the Glenvale Park development in Wellingborough, north Northamptonshire.

The joint project with Man GPM, the private markets business of Man Group, is the first phase of a wider 3,000-home development expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs and £1.4bn in economic impact for the area – with £2 of social value generated for every £1 spent during construction.

All 146 multi-tenure single family homes will be built offsite in ilke Homes’ factory in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, and are expected to be completed next year.

The 7.8-acre site is the first phase of the wider 3,000-home Glenvale Park sustainable urban extension scheme to the north of Wellingborough, which includes over 200 acres of parkland, a new local centre and two new schools.

Having received approval from North Northamptonshire Council, ilke Homes has started work delivering a mix of multi-tenure single family houses, apartments and maisonettes, ranging in sizes from one to four bedrooms homes.

This is the second time ilke Homes and Man GPM have worked together to deliver an affordable-led scheme, having struck a £31m deal in December 2020 for a 226-home affordable housing development in Grantham, Lincolnshire. 

Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, said: “This scheme is testament to the continued confidence our customers have in our product, and we’ve enjoyed working with local planning officials and other stakeholders throughout the planning process and into the construction phase. 

“After the success of our first joint scheme in Lincolnshire, we’re delighted Man Group have shown the confidence in us to deliver a second sustainable urban development scheme together.

“Through our accredited modular methods of delivery, we can ensure the scheme aligns with Man Group’s own stringent ESG criteria, while also providing much-needed, energy-efficient and well-designed homes for the local community.”

Shamez Alibhai, managing director and head of community housing at Man GPM, said: “Our partnership with ilke Homes has demonstrated that it is possible to address the UK’s housing crisis with affordable, energy-efficient homes. 

“The development at Wellingborough is an exciting demonstration of how like-minded partners can deliver homes that address the housing challenges of families. ilke’s track record on housing delivery and its commitment to innovation fits naturally with our focus on social and environmental responsible investment."