YMCA cube housing taking shape despite delay from high wind

Heavy duty cranes have been lifting the Y:Cube houses into the plot named after the YMCA founder George Williams in Clay Avenue, Mitcham which will eventually house 36 single people.

Andy Redfearn in one of the new kitchens

The scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and has been nominated for an Edison Award for innovation in New York later this month as well as attracting national media attention.

High wind on Tuesday, March 31, delayed the project’s installation by a day but since then the prefabricated houses have started taking shape, with 12 of the 36 now in place.

Andy Redfearn, director of housing and development for YMCA London South West (YMCA LSW) said they are getting four or five units delivered every other day, and they are on track to be open next month.

He said: "The crane can only operate with 11miles per hour wind or less.

"The first units came on the windiest day of the year - typical.

"It has been fine since."

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The striking Y:Cubes will be cropping up on the junction of Woodstock Way and Clay Avenue for YMCA Wimbledon tenants and people in need of temporary housing.

The YMCA LSW said it was interviewing people and going through applications from Merton Council for tenants who will be charged £140 a week to rent the properties - 65 per cent lower than the market rate.

Laying the foundations in Mitcham

The finished homes will be 280 sq ft with a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and a bathroom.

Each cube costs £30,000 to build and has been constructed elsewhere before being transported into the area by lorry.

An artist's impression of the finished development

Mr Redfearn said they have had a lot of support from the community so far, with the W.I offering to bake cakes for new residents and passing members of the public asking questions about the development which will be landscaped.

The scheme and the refurbishment of a hostel in Surbiton means a controversial development in Wimbledon’s Broadway has been effectively put on hold.

Unpopular plans for a 24-storey tower block to replace the current YMCA in The Broadway, Wimbledon, will be revised.

Mr Redfearn added: "There has been no change on this.

"We intend to re-visit and re-start the process again from the spring onwards.

"We are still committed.