Cross party interest for Elements Europe’s housing scheme

Grant Shapps and Lembit Opik
Lembit Opik and Grant Shapps meet up with Kevin Arthur of Elements Europe to discuss the company’s modular solution, aimed at the affordable housing market

AN innovative off-site constructed modular housing system – dubbed the answer to the affordable housing market – is attracting cross-party political attention.

A Midlands based company is attempting to provide the Government with a sustainable solution to affordable housing problems.

Elements Europe’s innovative Ty Unnos modular housing system has gained enthusiastic backing from Liberal Democrat MP, Lembit Öpik and now Conservative Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps has shown an interest.

Mr Öpik claims the Ty Unnos system will provide around 30% of the answer to overcrowding and first time buyer barriers-to-entry.

“Since I first visited the factory where these modular homes are constructed, I’ve been utterly convinced of their importance to solving basic problems like overcrowding and the cost of a first home”.

“It’s a very high quality product, and at ‘code 4’ remarkably energy efficient. This is one of those ideas whose time has come”.

“Its success will reduce pressure in the housing market, reduce emissions in the atmosphere, and bring jobs to our region. It’s a triple win, and I sincerely hope politicians will endorse a common sense solution to the pressing problems of housing and climate change,” he remarked.

Elements Europe is one of the UK’s leading off-site construction specialists, delivering ‘pod’ solutions to contractors and developers in the housing, hotel, care home and student accommodation sectors and are part of the privately owned Pickstock Group of companies based in Oswestry.

Ty Unnos Modular is an innovative off-site constructed modular housing system, delivering sustainable performance at an affordable cost.

Mr Shapps said:
“We are not about to return to a situation where the Section 106 building of all affordable housing will deliver. In the boom years when so many applications were made it did not deliver the required amount of affordable housing, so it will not deliver in the future.

“The Government allotted £8.4billion for affordable housing on the comprehensive spending review from April 2008 to 2011. Very little of that money has been spent.”

Kevin Arthur of Elements Europe remarks that it would be possible to build a two-storey house for around £93,000 including land purchase, external treatment and all groundwork’s – “it would be the full turnkey package,” he said.

“Ty Unnos is a quality modular alternative which will provide affordable and sustainable homes. It is aimed at the affordable housing market offering the purchaser the highest factory manufactured quality while exceeding the Government’s parameters for sustainable development.”

“Ty Unnos will make a real difference in the provision of affordable properties and the timing could not be better as the property market begins to see signs of improvement.”