Copeland mayor Mike Starkie has praised the new modular housing development in Egremont – calling it a major coup for the town.

Mr Starkie said the homes on Royal Drive are a welcome investment, after a visit to the site.

The innovative modular houses started to arrive in Egremont back in November and will become the first of their kind to be built in the region.

Royal Drive consists of 26 homes that are a mixture of two and three bedrooms, with each one being delivered and installed in the space of 24 hours.

The new development is being created by Home Group, one of the UK’s largest housing associations, in collaboration with local company Ashcroft and ilke Homes, an industry leader in offsite modular manufacturing.

“I was very impressed by the Home Group modular housing development in Egremont on my visit to the site,” said Mr Starkie.

“It’s a major coup for the town to welcome the first major construction of modular homes in Cumbria.

“These 26 homes on Royal Drive are being manufactured off site, craned into place and their connection to the groundworks and services takes only one day!

“It’s a more environmentally friendly and quicker way of creating housing and this innovative investment in Egremont is very welcome.”

The homes have been transported from ilke Homes’ factory on the back of a heavy goods vehicle and installed in a day, minimising noise and disruption for the local community.

Once on site, each module of the home – split into ground, first floor and second floor – is then craned into place. The house, already finished internally, is then connected to the groundworks and services.

David Armstrong, senior delivery manager at Home Group, said: “Modular represents a more environmentally friendly and quicker way of creating housing, with the final product being a higher-quality home for our customers.”