TALO has secured its third and largest offsite housing contract from Balma Group, winning a £4 million project for five family homes in Shoreham, Kent. The development, named The Barons, sits on a rural site overlooking the Kent Downs and marks the company’s biggest deal yet with the developer.
The homes will use TALO’s advanced timber offsite construction system, including pre-fabricated superstructures, foundations, and energy packages. The design draws from barn-style architecture while meeting ultra-low energy standards and inclusive design principles for multi-generational living.
Balma Group has previously worked with TALO on two other projects, including Croft Mews in Edenbridge, where the company delivered mews-style homes for rent and sale in half the time of traditional construction. At Croft Mews, TALO completed watertight structures in four months—compared to the usual 12 months, while reducing the overall build program by six months.
James Everest, Managing Director of Balma Group, said the efficiency gains from TALO’s approach directly improve project economics. “The programme saving has significant commercial benefits, allowing earlier completion and a faster return on investment,” he noted. “The quality and energy performance of these homes also strengthen our ability to deliver both high-specification and affordable housing.”
The Barons development reflects Balma’s growing reliance on TALO’s solutions. Everest added that the company now evaluates all new residential sites with TALO’s offsite methods in mind, citing reduced risk, improved energy efficiency, and better build quality as key advantages.
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The project’s location, a rural green belt site with sensitive ecology and adjacent to ancient woodland, makes offsite construction particularly valuable. TALO’s shallow foundation system minimizes excavation, vehicle movements, and waste, aligning with environmental constraints. Each home will target an EPC A rating, with solar-powered electric underfloor heating, EV charging, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
Chapter Architects, which is overseeing the project, has worked with TALO on all three of its collaborations. Joseph Edwards, Director of the firm, highlighted the system’s ability to deliver high thermal efficiency and airtightness without the cost premium typically associated with such standards. The pre-installed triple-glazed windows and sliding doors further reduce on-site work while maximizing views of the surrounding countryside.
Balma’s choice of TALO for The Barons suggests a broader industry shift toward offsite manufacturing, where speed, sustainability, and cost predictability are prioritized. While traditional construction remains dominant, projects like this demonstrate how prefabrication can address housing shortages without compromising quality, or the environment.
The development is set to begin construction shortly, with completion expected within the accelerated timeline TALO has delivered on previous projects. The homes will join Balma’s growing portfolio of energy-efficient, offsite-built residences, reinforcing the model’s appeal to developers facing rising material costs and tightening regulations.