Using MMC to Amplify Sustainability in the Construction Industry

by Chelsea Bailey

North Somerset Council has moved a step closer to delivering 425 new highquality, sustainable, and affordable homes on land it owns in Weston-super-Mare. How is the council using MMC to deliver sustainability in the construction industry?

The council and its chosen developer Keepmoat signed a build lease agreement recently to deliver the homes near Locking. Part of the Parklands Village development, the scheme will be called ‘Winterstoke Gate’. This project will focus on quality, sustainability, and the use of modern technologies using MMC. It will deliver 30% affordable housing, 85 adaptable or accessible homes, and 139 homes (around one-third) will be zero-carbon buildings with the remainder achieving a 75-80% reduction in carbon output.

Renewable energy technologies will be used to ensure the homes are well insulated

Housing Industry Leaders spoke to Jenny Ford, Head of Placemaking and Development at North Somerset Council, and Amanda Bishop, Regional MD at Keepmoat about the project.

Jenny began by explaining that through the procurement process to select a developer, sustainability was at the forefront of the council’s mind.

She said: “We asked bidders to demonstrate how they could maximise both sustainability and affordability. The competitive nature of the process led to a raising of the standards overall.”

Bidders were required to show how they would demonstrate sustainability and climate change readiness throughout the design and the delivery of their bid.

From a Keepmoat’s perspective, Amanda expressed that: “We will meet the requirements set by the council through a ‘fabric first’ approach to the construction of homes at Winterstoke Gate, ensuring they are well insulated and require low levels of energy to heat and cool. This will be supplemented through renewable energy in the form of air-source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.”

Local people will be educated on MMC benefits

On the benefits to local communities, Amanda highlighted that Keepmoat is always looking for ways to invest in and support local communities: “Working with North Somerset Council, we have implemented a number of social value initiatives at Winterstoke Gate that will support local people throughout the stages of this development.”

To educate local people about the project and its benefits, they will be coordinating regular site visits and work experience opportunities with local schools and colleges to assist with learning about the construction industry and MMC.

The use of MMC in this project was a requirement of grant funding from Homes England, that supported the development. However, Jenny stated that MMC is a major focus for the council: “North Somerset Council is supportive of MMC in any case, as it’s a way of boosting the quality control and sustainability of the construction industry.”

MMC is also a massive focus for Keepmoat, as it is outlined in its ‘Using Modern Methods of Construction’ case study, that it believes MMC helps to increase productivity in homebuilding and the reducing of environmental impacts of building.

Adding to this, Amanda explained that: “So far, we have delivered 9% of our homes across the UK using MMC, including premanufactured floors, large format walling solutions, panelised roof systems and closed panel timber frame.”

These methods are allowing Keepmoat to “enhance the incorporation of off-site manufactured components and increase levels of pre-manufactured value as we develop on-site assembly techniques to improve productivity, safety in build, quality and to reduce waste with scalable and affordable solutions.”

North Somerset Council will continue to deliver affordable housing

As well as educating local young people about MMC, Keepmoat is also sponsoring two industry placements per year for students based in North Somerset who are currently studying for their T-levels.

On this, Amanda added: “Our commitment to supporting education and career development will see us support 20 local people through apprenticeships on-site or within the local supply chain, and 10 internships for residents of North Somerset offering commercial and construction experience.”

Going forward, the council will be focusing on delivering more sustainable and affordable housing.

The council is hoping to launch procurement exercises for the delivery of residential-led development on sites in the Western-superMare town centre, and in Clevedon. This together will have the potential to deliver around 750 homes.

Projects like this one which incorporates sustainable modern technologies such as MMC, will be crucial in delivering the homes that local communities are desperately needing and ensures that they are being educated along the way too.

B y working with Registered Providers and Homes England, we’ve helped deliver over 400 new affordable homes in 2022-23. This is double our original target of 200.

Jenny Ford Head of Placemaking and Development North Somerset Council