Modular housing is being considered in a bid to build homes quickly to try to encourage vital key workers to the North East.

Nicknamed ‘pop-up’ because of the speed at which they can be built, the homes are constructed using pre-assembled sections. They come with insulation, wiring and plumbing installed and require minimal foundations.

It is hoped such housing would encourage key workers such as nurses and carers to come to the area.

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils revealed both are investigating the feasibility of investing money in the scheme.

The councils would still have to go through the planning process for the homes but, if they are approved, they could be built quickly.

Aberdeenshire Council is initially targeting areas such as Inverurie and Stonehaven as locations for the pop-up housing, while the city is looking at land in Culter.

Aberdeenshire Council leader Jim Gifford said the local authority is likely to also look to government funding.

He told the Evening Express: “Officers are assessing the length of time it would take to develop the housing. But these types of houses go up in months rather than years. If the demand decreases the homes can move to different locations. It is almost like student accommodation for grown-ups. We are targeting key workers.

“We are expecting this to range from one-bedroom flats or they could also be three bedrooms with a shared living room and kitchen.”

The homes could also help those on housing waiting lists. At present, Aberdeenshire has around 15,000 people on its list while the city has 5,000.

Aberdeen City Council’s housing and environment convener, Neil Cooney, added: “We are looking at the modular housing option. There is available land in the Culter area that we are exploring.”

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