COMPLETED PROJECT
Client: Cunninghame Housing Association
Location: Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire
Project value: £17m
Number of homes: 101
Property range: A mixture of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom general needs houses, amenity bungalows and wheelchair bungalows
Project timeline: July 2022 – July 2024
Connect Modular’s 101-home development for Cunninghame Housing Association is the largest modular low-rise, affordable housing development in Scotland and it was completed in July 2024, a staggering 18 weeks ahead of schedule.
The ground-breaking £17million project in Shortlees, Kilmarnock was delivered with the support of East Ayrshire Council and funding from The Scottish Government.
The programme for this housing development was originally targeted for delivery in 122 weeks – already a betterment on traditional construction – however, refinement in Connect Modular’s off-site manufacturing processes, saw completion achieved in only 104 weeks, with the first tenants moving in in August 2023. (Pictured below)
“Our experience working with Connect Modular to deliver these fantastic new homes has been hugely positive. We feel privileged to have delivered these much needed homes within an area of Kilmarnock which has a very healthy demand for new affordable housing. Feedback from our tenants has been incredibly positive, particularly in relation to the quality and standard of finish, the spacious and bright layout of the houses and excellent storage throughout”.
Linda Anderson,
Interim Group CEO for Cunningame Housing Association
Situated on a steeply sloping, green-field site between the southern built edge of Kilmarnock and the A77 trunk road, this new housing development in Shortlees has delivered 101 homes for affordable social rents, to an area of significant need.
The housing mix is comprised of two, three, and four-bedroom, two-storey general needs houses, as well as ten amenity bungalows and five wheelchair bungalows.
All 101 homes were produced in Connect Modular’s manufacturing facility in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, where over 90% of construction work was completed, including the installation of kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics.
The modular construction process sees houses built in carefully designed ‘modules’ that can be loaded onto lorries and transported to site for the final 10% of work to be completed. On site, the modules are craned into position and connected together to form each new home.
The completion of this development 18 weeks ahead of schedule, is testament to the efficiency of Connect Modular’s modular construction process.
By taking construction off-site and into a controlled factory environment, the overall programme of works was significantly condensed. This forward-thinking approach enabled ground works preparations and house-building to occur simultaneously and ensured progress was not affected by adverse weather conditions.
“We are proud to have completed this development for Cunninghame Housing Association at Shortlees, Kilmarnock, significantly ahead of schedule, and to have provided 101 families with new high-quality, affordable homes. This achievement really highlights the efficiency and excellence of modular construction.”.
Jennifer Higgins
CEO of Connect Modular
The use of modular construction was instrumental in ensuring that the 101 homes in this development are high quality, energy efficient and sustainable.
Connect Modular’s factory-controlled operation allows for precise and consistent manufacturing, achieving superior build quality. And in this regulated environment, better air tightness is achieved as standard, resulting in a highly insulated building envelope for every home.
Rigorous quality control measures ensure all houses meet strict performance criteria and adhere to industry regulations, with every home carefully inspected and assembled, guaranteeing its structural integrity and durability.
“Our lives have been completely transformed since moving into our new home. As both myself and my daughter are wheelchair users, our previous property presented numerous challenges with its limited space.
However, our new amenity bungalow has been a game-changer. The design is perfect, offering generous space both inside and outside, which allows easy manoeuvrability for our wheelchairs. Since settling in, we have also noticed a significant reduction in our electricity bills, which is great!”
Sarah Louise Walker, resident of Jane Darnbrough Gardens, Shortlees, Kilmarnock
The final handover of homes took place on July 3rd and an official completion event was held on August 13th 2024, which saw two young residents cut the ribbon to ‘officially open’ the development’s play park.
Inspired by nature, the play area features wooden play equipment and is fully landscaped. Running north to south, this recreational open space provides pedestrian connectivity through the whole development and is sure to be enjoyed by its young residents.
