A house builder has entered into discussions with Swansea Council to explore the possibility of establishing a modular homes factory in the region.

Live Verde, WElink Group's off-site housing manufacturing division in the UK, is aiming to develop 25,000 homes per year by 2022.

An agreement with Swansea Council would see the company work alongside the local authority to identify sites in the city for the development of modular homes for sale or rent.

As well as creating hundreds of new jobs and a manufacturing facility in the Swansea area, Live Verde would carry out all market research and meet planning/construction costs. An element of 'affordable' housing would also be included in individual schemes.

Cllr Andrea Lewis said: "This agreement gives the potential for highly energy efficient, affordable modular homes and buildings that can be manufactured and quickly assembled in Swansea, so these will not be low grade properties.

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"As with the new council home development on Colliers Way, we're keen for any housing construction schemes in Swansea over coming years to be as energy efficient as possible because that will see occupants saving money on their utilities, helping tackle fuel poverty across the city.

"Any joint venture agreement with the company in future would see elements of affordable housing forming part of construction for individual sites."

Stephen Haigh, Chief Executive of Live Verde, said: "I'm pleased to have been able to secure this announcement with Swansea that could see significant investment in low carbon off-site manufactured homes in the region.

"Our housing solution offers a revolution in the delivery of homes in the UK with rapid construction and deployment, high levels of energy efficiency and the latest technology in energy management.

"The homes will be constructed using British produced light gauge steel frames that are manufactured to a high level of precision in a factory, with key components then transported to site and assembled. In addition, with the installation of solar panels and energy storage, it means that our homes are low carbon in both their construction and in their application.

"I look forward to progressing our agreement onto the next stage and see it reach its full potential."

(LM)