In 2018, CHIC commissioned a show house from one of its long-term MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) partners, Premier Modular Ltd. The goal was to showcase to CHIC Members the advantages of MMC—such as superior insulation (enhanced U-values), rapid off-site construction with fewer defects, and the ability to transport the unit easily by lorry.
The house was built in two modules—ground floor and first floor/roof—and made its debut at the CHIC conference in Worcester in May 2018. It was then exhibited at CIH Manchester in June and at the Doncaster Efficiency North conference later that same month. In July, it was relocated to the car park of Community Housing’s depot, intended to serve as an ongoing demonstration unit for Members interested in MMC projects. To aid understanding of the construction, some wall and floor panels were deliberately left out to expose the materials used.
However, over the next few years, interest in MMC declined—especially following setbacks experienced by other providers like Top Hat and Modpods. It became clear the show house needed a permanent home. Incorporating it into one of Community Housing’s new-build schemes seemed logical, especially as it was already on-site. Unfortunately, although built only in 2018, updates to Building and Environmental Regulations meant it would cost an estimated £170,000 to bring it up to standard—rendering the idea unfeasible.
As time passed with no viable solution, costs began to mount. Council tax accrued, temporary planning permission was about to expire, and Community Housing needed the space for new plans. The pressure to remove the unit increased.
Finally, in May of this year, a solution was found: the house was donated to a chicken farm in Yorkshire to be used as worker accommodation (for people, not poultry). Since it was private housing, it didn’t need to meet current Building Regulations.
Ironically, despite having been moved several times in 2018 without issue, a final measurement revealed the unit was just four inches too wide to travel without a police escort. Two weeks and £38,000 later—including escort costs—it reached its final resting place.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Davey – Head of Development
📧 [email protected]
📞 07748 375181
