Councillors visited Fort Lane this week to get an update on seven new affordable homes being built by Eastbourne Borough Council. 

The scheme is being delivered through a modular housing framework that was established between Lewes District Council and modular homes contractor, Boutique Modern, and is accessible to other local authorities across East and West Sussex. Framework agreements speed up the process for appointing a contractor and save significant costs by not repeatedly going through a lengthy tendering process.

Founded in 2009, Boutique Modern specialises in high-quality, sustainably built, affordable housing that is manufactured offsite at its factory in Newhaven before the completed homes are transported and installed on-site, reducing the impact on the environment and build-time of developments, ensuring quality and certainty of cost. 

The development on Fort Lane will see disused light industrial units and hardstanding areas transformed into five terraced homes and two semi-detached homes, each with their own garden and parking.  It is the second council modular housing development utilising the framework agreement in Eastbourne, with the first opening earlier this year in Langney Road and now providing new homes for 12 families.  

Councillor Alan Shuttleworth, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This is another great example of identifying a redundant brownfield site and putting it to great use by developing much needed affordable homes.

“The modular development we opened in March has proved hugely popular with tenants and I’ve no doubt these homes will be a resounding success too.

“We need help from government to deliver more of this housing and I implore the new prime minister to prioritise social housing in the UK.”  

Boutique Modern is currently the only certified B Corporation in the UK modular construction industry - B Corporations are businesses all over the world that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.

Councillor Shuttleworth added: “Construction is responsible for 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, but not on this site.  I’m delighted that the cutting-edge foundation system being used will reduce the amount of concrete in the ground by 80%.  It also means the waste removed from the site is minimal too, plus, noise and dust are greatly reduced, which is good news for people already living in the area.”

The homes are due to be completed in summer 2023.