A DEVELOPMENT made up of pre-built homes is set to be the first of its kind in the borough.

Contractors broke ground on Bolton at Home’s new affordable houses on land off Victory Road, Little Lever, at the start of the week.

The 22 homes are to be built using modular methods, meaning they are designed and manufactured in sections in a factory before being shipped to site and assembled.

This process helps with energy-efficiency because the houses can be built in factory conditions to be as airtight as possible, meaning less heat escapes.

Each property is expected to be fully installed in around two weeks once groundworks, services and landscaping are in place.

The units are built in North Yorkshire by modular housebuilding firm Ilke Homes which specialises in working with housing associations and local authorities. They will then be completed on site by main contractor ENGIE.

Paul Philbin, head of development and home ownership at Bolton at Home, said the modular homes will “look and feel” like a traditionally built house.

He added: “These homes will be a first for Bolton for this method of construction for affordable housing and are also among the first of their kind in the country at this scale.

“We’re proud to be embracing these modern methods of construction which have the potential to be the future for of us in terms of the way we deliver new affordable homes.

“Once complete, there’s no way of knowing by looking at them, or by being inside them, that these homes are manufactured off-site - they look and feel like any traditionally built home.

“The fact that the homes are factory made also means that overall fewer deliveries, wagons and contractors are needed on site, which means less disruption for local residents.”

Each module is built from a lightweight steel frame which is then packed with insulated and finished with brick or render. The ground floor, first floor and roof are delivered to site in separate completed sections.

The sections are then put together and connected to electricity and water services so that the homes comply with all usual building regulations and carry all the necessary new home guarantees and warranties.

The homes are expected to be complete in March 2020 and will be accessed through a new cul-de-sac created off Victory Road.

Each home will have car parking, gardens and associated landscaping.