An innovative project to build 18 modular homes in the London Borough of Havering has been approved by planners in a boost to efforts to address the capital’s temporary accommodation crisis.

The scheme, on the Waterloo and Queen Street Estate in Romford, is part of the wider regeneration joint venture between Havering Council and Wates Residential that will deliver up to 5,000 new homes across the borough.

It also represents a bold step in wider efforts to tackle the worsening temporary accommodation crisis, which costs councils across the country £2.1 billion annually and have resulted in a record number of children living in hotels and B&Bs.

Wates Residential has worked with architects, suppliers, planners, manufacturers and local councils to develop this modular solution. As pre-designed standard houses, they are twice as fast to construct, allowing the flexibility to relocate homes where necessary. Wates’ modular homes also have energy efficient designs with low carbon footprints and involve minimal on-site work.

Built to the same standards as permanent housing, the homes will include modern amenities, private bedrooms, family bathrooms, and kitchen and living spaces, helping restore stability to those facing housing insecurity.

Modular homes have a design quality regulation of up to 60 years, meaning that while they provide temporary relief to their inhabitants, they are a long-term solution for councils.

Cllr Graham Williamson, Havering Council’s cabinet lead for development and regeneration, said: “We welcome this decision as a positive step forward in our work to provide better temporary housing for local families, and hope this will set a precedent for other councils.

“These modular homes will offer a significant improvement on current options like hostels and hotels, giving families a safer, more stable place to live at less cost to the taxpayer, while we continue delivering long-term regeneration across the borough.”

Paul Nicholls, Regional Managing Director for London at Wates Residential, said: “These homes demonstrate that temporary accommodation can be high-quality, energy-efficient and designed around people’s needs, not just a stopgap, but a real place to live and thrive. We’re proud to be working with Havering Council to deliver a solution that is fast, flexible and focused on families.”