A HUGE factory delivering thousands of “flat pack” homes could play a huge part in tackling the housing crisis across south Essex.

Leaked documents reveal Basildon Council has applied for millions of pounds of funding to allow Swan Housing to build a factory producing modular homes in the town.

This would establish a pipeline of 8,000 modular homes to be distributed across south Essex and London, including to the planned £500million Queensway scheme in Southend.

Swan Housing and the council have set a target of eventually producing 1,000 homes to per year.

Halstead Gazette:

Included - the factory would supply home for the planned £500million Queensway scheme in Southend

The documents, seen by the Echo, detail the costs of the new factory, which would be built near the current modular housing factory in Prologis Park, off Honywood Road.

The new site, which would need £4.5million in Government funding and £3.9 million of the council’s own cash, is aiming to deliver 1030 homes across the county in the first two years of production.

The funding has yet to be approved by the Government and a planning application is yet to be finalised.

Senior figures at both Basildon and Southend councils are delighted with the ambitious move, which seals a collaboration between council bosses and Swan Housing.

Halstead Gazette:

Launch - the opening of the existing factory in 2017

Kerry Smith, deputy leader at Basildon Council, said: “It proves Basildon is the place to come for factories and businesses.

“We welcome businesses and as a council, we’re working hard to encourage more to come.

“It’s brilliant to see a huge firm like Swan Housing have a larger base in Basildon.”

According to the documents, a 15 year lease has already been agreed for the facility, which will also provide up to 90 jobs for Basildon’s workers.

The new factory would mean Swan Housing would become the largest manufacturer of modular homes in the South East of England.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, said the collaborative work between all three parties has been excellent.

He added: “It’s all about working together to build houses for everyone. We need to continue this to make sure it runs smoothly.

“We’re following the recommendations. It can’t be a stop and start process.

“Swan Housing are the experts, we must listen to them.

“But the homes must meet housing regulations and I’m sure they will.

“The homes they’ve built in London so far are fantastic. They would be amazing in Southend.

“If they are 12 to 16 storeys high, the buildings must be safe and appropriate.”

The thousands of new homes will also be delivered to Swan Housing’s projects in Purfleet in Thurrock, and Blackwall Reach in Tower Hamlets, while continuing their work on the former Craylands estate in Basildon.

The document also revealed that funding is being sought for a number of projects, including for Basildon’s Youth Zone and the Pitsea swimming pool plan.

But Andrew Baggott, the leader of Basildon Tories, has questioned the financial aspect of the deal, saying: “I welcome the council seeking government investment in this difficult time, however, I’m concerned about the white elephant youth zone, while the constructions could be funded by the government, the ongoing costs will have to be met by the council.

“This could amounts to hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, in a time where the council is facing falling revenue and a shortfall of money.

“It’s clear from these bids that the councils previous comments on delays to projects such as Pitsea swimming pool being down to partners were false, they have run out of money and have kicked important issues into the long grass hoping the Government will help.

“I’m also disappointed that the council has not put in any bids for Wickford, which seems to be a forgotten town under the Labour-Independents coalition.”

Basildon Council confirmed bosses had applied for the funding.