RESIDENTS are expected to move in to the Forest’s first "factory-built" housing development next month.

The Mannings Farm development in Drybrook, which will feature 51 modular homes that have been transported to the Forest from North Yorkshire, is nearing completion, with the first residents due to move in in early December.

Councillors say the homes, many of which will be designated as affordable housing, are more energy efficient than traditionally-built properties, and will help address local housing needs whilst supporting the council’s target of a carbon neutral district by 2030.

The modular homes have been manufactured by "the UK’s leading modular house builder" ilke Homes, and are being built alongside six traditionally-built flats at the site near Drybrook Rugby Club.

The development is owned and managed by The Guinness Partnership and has been supported by a grant from Forest of Dean District Council and Strategic Partnership funding from Homes England.

It is the first development in a new nationwide partnership between Guinness and ilke Homes.

The homes were made at the company’s 250,000 square foot factory in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, before being transported to the Drybrook site.

The first houses arrived in April and the partners are aiming to complete the development in March next year.

The council says the development will offer "a range of options" for residents, from one-bedroom apartments up to four-bedroom houses, with 65 per cent of properties available for affordable rent and 35 per cent as shared ownership tenures.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Claire Vaughan, said: "It has been great for the District Council to support this innovative housing project, which is the first of its kind in the Forest of Dean, and will be providing more than 50 new homes, including 37 new affordable rental properties in a great location for families."

The factory-made homes have achieved a ’B’ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which is the second most efficient rating available.

ilke Homes say it takes around 20 per cent less energy to heat its modular homes than new traditionally constructed properties.

Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Cllr Chris McFarling, said: "Buildings currently account for around 40 per cent of carbons emissions in the UK and 60 per cent of all waste.

"We are hoping that these homes stand as a testament to our commitment to be carbon neutral as a district by 2030.

"Not only have they been constructed using more energy and economically efficient processes, but thanks to their B EPC rating, it will also mean that less energy will be needed to heat the homes through the winter."

Jon Milburn, Group Development Director at The Guinness Partnership, said: "We are delighted that the development at Mannings Farm is almost complete.

"Working with ilke Homes means that we are able to deliver much needed, high-quality affordable housing more quickly to the Forest of Dean."

Applications are now open for the homes, with nine of the shared ownership properties already reserved and allocation for the affordable housing taking place over the next few months.

For more information on the scheme, and to apply, go to www.guinnesshomes.co.uk/find-a-home/mannings-farm-drybrook.