Barratt is planning to build hundreds of small "iPad" flats aimed at putting homes in reach of first-time buyers.

Britain's second largest developer plans to price the homes at £80,000 to £85,000 in the north and £120,000 to £125,000 in the south to appeal to buyers who are struggling to get on the first rung of the property ladder. The one bedroom flats will measure about 28 sq metres (380 sq ft).

The first 30 of the iPads under construction in Middlesbrough have already sold. With many first-time buyers being priced out of the market, this is designed to be an affordable product but it is not too small. It has a reasonable sized living room and a proper kitchen and full bathroom.

The developer plans to build about 1,800 iPads in more than 40 towns and cities, including Coventry, Slough, Edinburgh and Reading.

Article date: July 2006