Work has now started on the block of modular homes in Sutton Road after developer QB Technology received a funding boost thanks to external funding from the Ingenious Group to develop the project.
The flat-pack homes will be located at 245 Sutton Road, at the former Paterson Worktops site next to the Greyhound Retail Park.
The former shop unit is being demolished, with work already underway to develop the homes off-site before they are transported to Southend and put together in the city.
It is part of a development to demolish the existing building and erect a five-storey building comprising of 22 self-contained flats.
It comes as 221 flat-pack homes are installed in a mini village on Fossetts Way, close to Waitrose.
Council leader Tony Cox said: “Back in 2019, I was actually the portfolio holder for housing, and we went to visit an area where they had modular housing. We looked at how they are made, and how they are put together.
“Where it is done right, some of these modular homes can be very good. So, I have no problems with this in that sense.
“What is important to is the length of time that they take. It is a lot quicker than normal construction, which can be a good alternative.
“It is a very quick way of getting a development up to people moving in. So it will be good and interesting to see the outcome of these.”
All units will have a private balcony or terrace, and there are 22 parking spaces including two disabled parking spaces.
Ken MacRae, group CEO at QB Technology, said: “Our project in Southend will deliver much-needed new homes on an underutilised site, serving as proof of concept for our technology-driven offsite manufacturing process.
“Thanks to this, development will be far greener, faster, and less disruptive to create than conventional builds, while also delivering an exceptional quality product that will result in lower running costs for homeowners.”
The development is set to be completed in summer 2023.
The flat-pack homes are built at the QB Technology factory near Horsham in West Sussex and the company utilises advanced modern methods of construction and cutting-edge digital technology.