Gent Visick cements modular house development programme at Flaxby Moor

PROPERTY CONSULTANCY Gent Visick is working on the final phase of a two-year development programme at Flaxby Moor near Harrogate.

The development has involved extensive refurbishment of the 270,000 sq ft industrial site, to create one of the UK’s most advanced modular home production facilities.

Leeds-based Gent Visick’s building consultancy team is project managing the next phase of works at the recently opened Ilke Homes factory, which includes substantial roof repairs, major building alterations and the installation of a new sewage treatment plant.

The firm’s agency division was initially appointed by RR Donnelley to let the former printing facility at Flaxby Moor.

Gent Visick secured a deal with Ilke Homes to allow the modular homes business to lease and occupy part of the building under licence, in order to operate a pilot plant where prototypes of its innovative homes could be made.

The Ilke Homes factory has employed a 150-strong manufacturing and supply chain team supported by engineers, designers, and related professionals.

The company plans to expand the manufacturing team to 300 over the next 12 months and create almost 900 jobs in the longer term.

Gavin Ritchie, head of building consultancy at Gent Visick, said: “Initially, managing the refurbishment process whilst Ilke Homes occupied the building was a complex task, but as with any new venture, time was of the essence and it was important they could quickly commence the initial work on their prototype homes.

“Ilke Homes is not only creating jobs, but the company is also helping to address the UK’s housing shortage by developing an innovative off-site manufacturing process that is successfully delivering much-needed modular homes to the market.

“To see the site reinvigorated with a new and sustainable future is incredibly rewarding.”