MODULAR homes could be used in Hemyock to provide more social rented housing in the village, more quickly.

Mid Devon district councillors have already approved 14 of the prefabricated units for use on two council-owned garages sites in Tiverton and Cullompton.

Now, the authority is also looking to site the net-zero carbon rated units in Hemyock as it ramps up delivery of factory-made homes across the district.

Housing portfolio holder Cllr Stuart Penny said feasibility studies had been completed on six new schemes, including Hemyock, ahead of a pre-planning submission, and more would follow.

Cllr Penny said subject to advice and feedback, planning applications were likely to be submitted before the end of next March.

Modular homes are factory-built before being transported to sites where they can be put onto foundations and connected to mains services.

The council sources the units from London-based Zed Pods, which said its modular units were built to higher standards than conventional housing.

The company said its homes were ‘ready for immediate occupation and built in a fraction of the time of traditionally-built conventional housing’.