Flat pack ignores the problem

08/02/2008

Flat pack housing is only a temporary solution to the housing shortage, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said.

Spokesperson Brian Berry explained that they do not solve the more important need for long-term housing.

"It's temporary accommodation which solves an immediate problem, but does little to actually tackle the underlying problem about the shortage of homes in this country," he said.

The first examples of this new design were unveiled for display in Gateshead last week - they cost from £99,500 for a one bedroom flat.

He argued that despite their benefits "what we need to do is actually be thinking about bringing empty homes back". Mr Berry went on to suggest we build more homes across the country and change the planning system.

In an earlier attempt to provide cheaper housing Lacey, Nicolas and Partners designed Container City in London. Completed in 2002, it used industrial containers to construct a community of flats.

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