Study to assess impact of Modern Methods of Construction
Consultants have been commissioned to carry out a study to assess impact of Modern Methods of Construction across 1,500 homes.
Atkins and Faithful+Gould, both part of the SNC-Lavalin group, have been commissioned by Homes England to assess the effectiveness of modern methods of construction (MMC) in housebuilding.
The multi-year study aims to gather “long-term, in-depth and verifiable data” to inform future decisions about the use of MMC, focusing on 1,500 new homes at various Homes England projects.
The government housing agency currently has a strategic objective to improve construction productivity and, as part of that goal, to encourage the use of MMC.
The study has just been announced, despite the country currently being in lockdown.
The research will examine the cost and overall speed of MMC compared to traditional methods, as well as the implications for skills and safety, the type and rates of defects seen, waste generation during construction, and the energy efficiency of homes once occupied.
The two consultants will work with the Building Research Establishment and University College London to collect data and compile annual updates on their findings, followed by a final report at the end of the programme.
Sites involved in the study will include:
Northstowe Phase 2a, a 406-home project in Cambridgeshire making full use of MMC techniques, assembling modules constructed at a factory in the east midlands. The project is a partnership between Urban Splash, Sekisui House and Homes England.
The York Road development in Birmingham, where 87 homes are being built by Vistry Partnerships. The homes will be built using a closed-panel timber-frame system, with frames delivered to site for assembly.
Spencer’s Park in Hemel Hempstead, a 600-home development by Countryside also using closed-panel timber-frame construction.
Further sites in Swindon, Warrington, Newcastle and Milton Keynes are to be announced.
Homes England chief executive Nick Walkley said: “If we are to deliver homes at the scale, pace and quality the country needs, we have to seriously shake up how we build [them]. This is at the very heart of our mission and it means embracing new technologies.”
Walkley added that the study “will provide the sector with the critical evidence it needs to make informed decisions about MMC”.
Here at Sherratt Builders, we were working throughout lockdown on emergency projects and those of an insurance-related nature, which needed to be dealt with swiftly.
We adhered to all safe social distancing measures during this time and moved back into a return to work last week.
We are interested to see the results of this study as we are always working with our clients and architects to use the latest building techniques for everything from entire house builds to extensions.
If you have a project you would like to discuss with our experienced team, please call us on 01743 791815 or 07786 268435.
