Boutique Modern has signed contracts to deliver its most significant project to date when it builds 100 homes at the Victorian Pump House in Eastbourne.
The scheme will deliver 100 affordable homes, comprising 59 houses and 41 apartments. Of these, 20 will be for shared ownership and the remainder for affordable rent.
Eighty of the homes will be new build and delivered using modular construction, while the rest will be created by converting the site鈥檚 original Grade II listed pump house building in Bedfordwell Road, which has been derelict for many years.
Originally constructed in the 1880s for the Eastbourne Waterworks Company, the building will be repurposed by Boutique Modern鈥檚 partners as part of the main contract works.
Boutique Modern was founded by Dick Shone in 2009 and has since delivered 241 factory-build housing units.
Shone said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to begin work on our largest project to date 鈥� a scheme that marks an important next step for our business. Thanks to the increased capacity of our new factory, we鈥檙e able to take this on while continuing to deliver for other clients alongside the recent launch of our ModernHome product.
鈥淲e鈥檝e worked closely with Eastbourne Borough Council on several successful schemes, so we鈥檙e very pleased that this milestone project will be delivered in the town. It鈥檚 another step forward in our relationship with the council and we hope it will give other local authorities confidence in our ability to deliver schemes like this one.鈥�
All the new build homes are targeted to achieve an EPC A rating, which will be delivered through a combination of solar photovoltaics, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, air source heat pumps, electric heating and Boutique Modern鈥檚 fabric-first design approach, which keeps homes warm in winter and cool in summer.
Enabling works are already under way, with full construction due to start towards the end of 2025.
Boutique Modern secured the scheme through the Lewes District Council鈥檚 modular housing framework.
Councillor Peter Diplock, cabinet member for housing at Eastbourne Borough Council, said: 鈥淚 am incredibly pleased to see this ambitious project move from planning to reality. Developing a brownfield site like Bedfordwell Road presents unique challenges, but our perseverance has paid off.
鈥淭his development of 100 affordable homes represents the most significant council-led housing initiative in our borough for decades and underscores our commitment to delivering much-needed homes that local people can afford.鈥�
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
