Housebuilder Berkeley is to introduce a new form of terraced housing in schemes around the country that it claims can increase densities, build speed and development viability.
The Urban House differs from traditional terraced housing as the rows of homes sit back to back with the garden relocated to the roof, doubling the density of sites and boosting the viability of schemes.
The format will use modern construction methods that could speed up delivery, lower costs and bypass the skills shortage.
“I think it is something we can roll out in all cities,” said Karl Whiteman, executive director at Berkeley. “There is an opportunity to deliver it in any location across the country.”
Although the design could prompt concerns about overcrowding, Whiteman said that the response from councils and buyers has been positive.
The firm has built 22 units as a trial at its Kidbrooke scheme, SE3. These have been sold for around £750,000 each. Traditional terraces in the area sell for around £1m.
