Plans for £60,000 homes became a reality as the successful bidders for the first four sites have been announced by the ODPM.

Following competition from all six bidders involved at this stage, Barratt Developments plc, George Wimpey UK and the SIXTYK Consortium (Crest Nicholson and Kingspan Offsite) have been selected by national regeneration agency, English Partnerships to build their Design for Manufacture homes on four of ten publicly-owned competition sites. This follows the advice of an independent panel of experts.

Design for Manufacture is part of the Government's commitment to deliver decent, affordable homes for everyone - whether to rent or buy - in sustainable communities where people will be proud to live.

These first four competition sites will see the creation of more than 500 homes. At least 30 per cent of homes on each site will be built to a construction cost of £60 000. The remainder will be a mix of smaller and larger homes constructed with similar cost efficiencies. Overall, the competition will see the construction of more than 1 000 new properties.

Joe Martin, Executive Director of BCIS, and member of the judging panel says :

"The winning designs offer a range of construction solutions, concentrating on producing a level of standardisation without reducing choice.

"If these designs can be delivered within budget they will produce better houses and improved value for money. Where land is available and real demand exists these developments should enable homes to be delivered faster and more efficiently."

Source: RICS