Modular housebuilder ilke Homes is partnering with Orbit Homes to develop 140 new properties in East Sussex. 

The 140-home development in Hastings will see 84 of the properties delivered as zero carbon, helping protect residents from rising energy bills. 

Ilke has now entered into a land led package deal with Orbit Homes to deliver the development on Harrow Lane.

Hastings Borough Council granted Reserved Matters Approval for the 12.4-acre site in March of this year. 

The 84 zero carbon homes will emit no operational emissions via utilities such as electricity and heating. Each of the homes will be fitted with an air source heat pump (ASHP) and solar panels which, when combined, will provide clean energy.

The entire scheme - which will deliver a mix of apartments and houses ranging in sizes from one to four-bedroom homes - will be gas-free, running on renewable power generated from the ASHPs and solar panels which will combine to help heat the home more sustainably.

Works are expected to start on site in the autumn with the first homes being installed in summer 2023. Completion of the scheme is expected in 2024.

This is the second time ilke Homes has partnered with Orbit Homes following successful pilot in Warwickshire in 2020. 

Orbit Homes, which develops properties across the Midlands, east and south-east England, opted to use modern methods of construction (MMC) due to the speed, quality and energy-efficiency benefits that ilke Homes’ offsite manufacturing techniques deliver.

Acting as a full turnkey developer for the Hastings site, ilke Homes has been responsible for securing the land and gaining planning permission and will now manufacture the homes and develop the site. Once complete, Orbit Homes will own or manage all 140 homes - comprising 70 shared ownership homes and 70 affordable rent homes.

Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, said: “We have enjoyed working closely with Hastings Borough Council’s estates team and the local authorities planning department to bring forward our proposals for the site at Harrow Lane. 

“Subject to the clearance of pre-commencement conditions, we are excited to commence on site later this year. Ilke Homes is proud to be delivering an entirely gas-free scheme, with 84 of the homes to be delivered as zero-carbon for our partner of choice, Orbit Homes. As a company, we continue to pioneer a sustainable and future proofed housing typology in response to the climate crisis.”

Helen Moore, group director of Orbit Homes, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with ilke Homes, to deliver a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership properties in Hastings, which is a core area of operation for us. 

“The delivery of off-site modular homes, which boast energy-efficient and environmentally friendly credentials, aligns with our 2025 Strategy to increase the number of affordable homes we deliver utilising modern methods of construction.

“The 84 net carbon zero homes will not only support our Orbit Earth initiative which seeks to minimise the impact of our activities but will also allow us to fully evaluate and then articulate the benefits to our customers of living in a net zero carbon new build home.”