Photos show progress of Longhurst Group development built using modern method of construction in Huntingdon

Work is continuing at pace at Longhurst Group’s new fully affordable housing development in Huntingdon – with the first signs of new homes being seen.

We’re delivering the 56 home California Meadows development on California Road in the town using a modern method of construction (MMC).

This involves timber-framed panels being manufactured in factory conditions before being transported to the site and craned into place.

The panels are built using sustainably-sourced timber and are delivered to site as complete wall panels with insulation and external cladding.

Now, the first batch of homes is beginning to take shape and Marcus Keys, Executive Director of Growth and Development, said he was pleased with the progress being made.

He said: “We’re delighted with the way our California Meadows development is taking shape and are looking forward to seeing further progress over the next few months. It’s great to see the first homes beginning to go up.

“This is an exciting project for the Group as by using this modern method of construction, we’re able to assess an innovative new way of building. We’re keen to explore this sort of construction method further, to help us reduce the carbon footprint during construction.

“We also know that by having the panels built in factory conditions in the first place, this ensures the highest levels of quality assurance before they even arrive on site.”

We’re delighted with the way our California Meadows development is taking shape and are looking forward to seeing further progress over the next few months. It’s great to see the first homes beginning to go up.

The development site was once part of the Regional College’s Huntingdon campus and Marcus said he was pleased to see the Group continuing to redevelop brownfield areas.

“We’ll be completing the regeneration of a brownfield site by completing this development and the homes will help to meet the need for affordable housing in the area,” he added.

“As a Group, our Improving Lives vision commits us to providing the homes people want, where they’re needed most and by delivering California Meadows, we’ll be doing just that.

“Once completed, this development will have a contemporary style and will look completely different from many affordable schemes seen up and down the country, which I’m sure will prove popular with our potential future customers.”

California Meadows will be made up of one, two and three bedroom homes, which will be made available for Shared Ownership, Rent to Buy and social rent, with both car and cycle parking provision also being included.

The panels are being made by LoCaL Homes in Walsall and the development is being part-funded by a grant from Homes England as part of our strategic partnership.

Burmor Construction is the contractor working on this development on behalf of Longhurst Group and it’s Director, Patrick Burke, added: “We’ve been really excited to work on this innovative project with Longhurst Group, delivering affordable homes using a factory-produced MMC system and including sustainable technology such as ground source heat pumps.

“We now have around 25 of the homes erected on site, and we’re delighted with both the speed of construction, with the dwellings being erected at a rate of more than one per week, as well as the modern appearance of the design, with the homes coming from the factory complete with their external cladding already fitted.

“We look forward to handing over all of these homes to Longhurst Group ahead of schedule in 2023.”

Click here to register your interest in homes at California Meadows.

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