8 INDUSTRY NEWS
Modular ‘micro homes’ for Chelmsford homeless
Hill Group embarks on ‘landmark’ Billericay development
he ill roup has offi cially broken ground on a transformative new development in Billericay, Essex, which will deliver 179 high-quality homes across a acre site that will redefi ne the town’s landscape.
A collection of 24 modular DuoHaus homes, constructed to provide accommodation for homeless people, are being installed near Chelmsford. Delivered by The Hill Group, the purpose- built, self-contained homes will be run by CHESS Homeless; an Essex-based charity that supports people suffering from homelessness. The charity will provide 24-hour onsite assistance and support with living skills, helping residents rebuild their independence and stability. The concept was developed by The Hill Group, as a “follow-on housing solution” to help address the homeless crisis. Hill is installing the DuoHaus homes to replace an obsolete motel, which CHESS Homeless has been running as a homeless hostel since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The project was made possible through support from the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), Chelmsford City Council, various trusts, grant-makers, individuals, and pro bono contributions from the teams involved.
Designed with a 60-year lifespan, each DuoHaus home has been designed for up to two residents and is built to meet Future Homes Standards, exceeding building regulations for energyeffi ciency and sound insulation. They will be fully furnished and euipped including a fi tted
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kitchen and white goods, providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents before they fi nd permanent housing. The DuoHaus homes are part of The Hill Group’s broader SoloHaus initiative, which has been providing safe, high- quality modular housing for homeless individuals since 2020.
The 24 homes will be stacked on two levels and each home will arrive ready for installation. The homes are set to be complete and ready for residents by late spring 2025, just 18 months after the project was fi rst initiated. he development gained planning permission recently and demolition of the former motel building and site groundworks are already underway.
As part of the redevelopment, one section of the former motel is being retained and renovated to provide an administration building where CHESS’ dedicated support team will be based, as well as a communal space for residents to socialise. The charity will provide 24-hour assistance for residents and also offer educational sessions including IT skills, DIY and job advice to help build their confi dence back. n addition to the DuoHaus homes, the redevelopment will provide offi ce and private spaces where residents can access one-to-one support from the charity.
Designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding countryside while addressing the pressing demand for sustainable housing, the project will be set around an expansive park that will serve as the green hub of the neighbourhood. Central to Hill’s vision for this development is the creation of a “landscape-led community.” The thoughtfully designed green spaces will not only provide residents with areas to gather and relax but will also support local biodiversity with habitats for wildlife and a rich array of trees and plants. The development is set to deliver more than double the biodiversity gain required by planning regulations, “setting a new standard for environmentally conscious urban planning,” said Hill.
In addition to providing a diverse range of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses, the development will feature mixed-tenure options including private sale, affordable rent, and shared ownership, “appealing to a wide demographic and fostering a truly inclusive neighbourhood, said the fi rm. esigned to be tenureblind, the fi rst homes are set to go on sale in late 2025. True to Hill’s high environmental standards, each home will be equipped with advanced features to reduce energy consumption, including air source heat pumps and provisions for electric vehicle charging. Every property will come with designated parking, cycle storage, and private outdoor space, from gardens to terraces, for “a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.”
The plans for the development have been “thoughtfully shaped by insights gathered from extensive community consultations, ensuring they align with the values and needs of Billericay residents.” Key improvements within the new development, including a new cycle path, upgraded road infrastructure, and enhanced local footpaths, have been incorporated to strengthen connectivity to the town centre.
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