Developed by Cross Keys Homes, the Northminster project is a £70m flagship apartments development, which will provide 315 affordable homes for rent.

Due for completion in Autumn 2024 and designed by Corstorphine & Wright, this regeneration project will use innovative construction methods to minimise impact on the environment. The offsite elements include the light gauge steel frame, brick slip cladding, and bathroom pods.

Offsite Solutions has delivered over 1,700 GRP composite and steel-framed pods for Willmott Dixon to date for student, hotel, care home, and residential projects.

This latest pod project for Cross Keys Homes follows the successful completion of two contracts totalling £3.5m for a major regeneration development at the Perry Barr Residential Scheme in Birmingham. The same pod design is now being used for Northminster.

Offsite Solutions will manufacture a combination of shower rooms and bathrooms using advanced pod technology and in three colour palettes in shades of grey, taupe, ivory and white for the porcelain wall and floor tiles.

Matthew Harding, Principal Surveyor at Willmott Dixon, said, “As a business, Willmott Dixon is committed to modern methods of construction and the benefits these bring in reducing carbon and increasing efficiency and certainty.

“Bathroom pods generate less embodied carbon by optimising material use and reducing waste, vehicle movements, and labour on site. Fewer vehicle movements compared to in-situ bathroom installation also minimise disruption to the local community.

“What would be complex sequencing for bathroom construction is reduced to a single supplier, reducing risk, and increasing efficiency. The process is simplified, safer, and far more robust by moving this part of the build offsite and into a factory.

“This is the third time we have used this particular pod type, specification, and project team which has efficiency benefits and allows us to continually refine our processes. The pods are also contributing to an overall programme saving of around 30 per cent which reduces cost and allows a faster return on investment for Cross Keys Homes.

“We have a good relationship with Offsite Solutions. Their team has a similar approach to quality and continuous improvement, and work with us in an open and collaborative way.”

The bathrooms and shower rooms for Northminster will be tiled and fully finished at Offsite Solutions’ pod production centre in Highbridge, Somerset and delivered to site from the start of 2023 until the summer.