The Council intends to build between eight and 12 new homes on the Spring Vale site, providing what it said was "much needed new affordable housing". The houses will be built using MMC, a method under which the homes are made of pre-made panels in a factory and are winched into position in a matter of days.
The pilot development is part of the Council's plans to establish a framework for innovative housing using MMC. The framework will be provided by City House Projects Limited and can be accessed by the tri-borough authorities which the Council forms together with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council.
The framework has been recommended for approval in a report (11-page / 79KB PDF) to the Council's cabinet. The Council said in a statement that further sites have been identified for development under the scheme of up to 100 new homes, a proportion of which will be sold at a discounted market rate.
The Council has already built a prototype of the new homes, 'Rational House' on Biscay Road in Hammersmith, which was erected in just 11 days last year.
“This is an innovative way to provide quality homes, fit for modern living at affordable costs," said the Council's cabinet member for housing, Andrew Johnson. "Hammersmith & Fulham is one of the most densely populated boroughs in the country but there is a distinct lack of housing for the middle market. This scheme will lead to the construction of exemplary family homes that can also fit into tight urban spaces and is perfect for a congested city like London."
"If other local authorities were to follow our lead and build homes like this on their own land it would have a significant impact London’s housing crisis and could help thousands of people into home ownership “ he said.
The Council's cabinet will consider the report's recommendation at a meeting on 10 December.
