The clock is already ticking for local builders Rok who have set themselves and their suppliers the challenge of building two new affordable homes in Helston for Coastline Housing in just nine weeks.

Behind the challenge is Rok’s team leader for housing in the South West, Charlie Scherer, who has promised to roll his sleeves up and help with the cleaning of the properties ready for handover to Coastline if the builders break their own record.

In charge of operations on site is Paul Postlethwaite who admits the task is daunting but says everyone involved is up for it. “It should be possible because we are only building two houses in this scheme and all our suppliers have agreed to pull out the stops to help us,” he said.

The development in Kingsley Way is part of a Land Transformation Project aimed at making the most of all Coastline owned land and will see a derelict space previously used for parking turned into two, two bedroom rented homes built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level Three. The addresses of these properties will be Kingsley Corner.

Having gained planning permission for the development, Coastline secured a £139,600 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency and appointed Rok to carry out the construction. Dubbed Project Optima, the scheme is intended to be completed in the quickest possible time to the best possible standard and for the best possible price.

Among the elements that will help with the speed of completion are the facts that the timber frame for the buildings will only take a few days to erect and that Rok is using its own in-house Plumbing Heating and Electrical team to install the services in less than half the time usually allocated.

A neighbourhood day was held to launch the Land Transformation Project and Coastline and Rok are already planning a similar community event to celebrate the completion, calling on volunteers to join Charlie in his efforts to put the finishing touches by cleaning up the site.

The two homes in Kingsley Way follow Rok’s earlier successful delivery of a scheme in Redruth consisting of 18 properties including flats, bungalows and houses which were well received by local residents.