Net Zero Living Targets

NET ZERO

LIVING TARGETS

We must harness the power of offsite to build back better, says Mark Davis, Acting Head of Partnerships and Communications at Public Sector Plc, if modular homes are to increase the quantity and quality of new homes and help to save the planet.

As we head into the darkness of winter and batten down the hatches to cope with a second wave of COVID-19 it is crucial that we all remain focused on turning the devastating experience of the Coronavirus crisis into something positive. While COVID-19 has cast a shadow on all of our lives, it has shone a light on some of Britain’s biggest challenges: the housing crisis and the climate crisis.

For millions of families the experience of lockdown has highlighted the problems caused by living in Britain’s old, cold, draughty housing stock – something which will be exacerbated by the second national lockdown in November.

And while CO2 emissions fell by almost a fifth (17%) in April during the lockdown they quickly recovered. At the same time, regions around the world such as California and Siberia have recorded their worst year for forest fires with millions of acres of habitat lost. Globally, between 2030 and 2050, the World Health

1

Organisation expects climate change to cause 250,000 additional deaths per year. According to the UK Green Building Council the built environment contributes 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. When it comes to housing it’s so difficult to fathom that something which provides us with protection and shelter is so damaging for the environment. Current construction methods contribute significantly to carbon emissions during the construction process. And then also again during occupation as traditionally built homes require more energy to heat. In 2019 the UK became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050 and bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. While climate change is a global challenge the solutions to this problem are local. As of October this year, almost three-quarters (74%) of the UK’s principal authorities – county, unitary, metropolitan, London boroughs, district – have declared a climate emergency – making it one of the fastest growing political movements of all time. Some local authorities have gone further than this and declared dates by which they will become zero carbon.

Others like Greater Manchester Combined Authority have gone further still by pledging to make all new buildings net zero carbon by 2028. As one of the pioneers of the Build Back Better movement the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has said: “There is a need to reimagine town centres being residential centres, rather than retail centres. I can see a new future for our proud outlying towns that is one of modern, possibly modular, affordable housing more closely connected to public transport, and with excellent digital infrastructure.”

The adoption of offsite construction is crucial if we are going to help our councils and national government to reach our targets to reduce carbon emissions. Modular construction is also crucial if we are going to meet the target to build 300,000 new homes a year in England. The Government has made clear that it will not cut its target to build 300,000 homes a year. Furthermore, this Government has made it clear that offsite is integral to meeting this target. In September, Homes England announced that any deals signed with housing associations as part of its new £11.5billion Affordable Housing Programme must commit to modern methods of construction to build out at least 25% of their pipeline. Britain’s housing crisis is an industrial scale problem and as such it requires a scalable manufacturing solution where

VOIDSAFE™ CREATES A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT

SAFER SITES

The VoidSafe™ Protection Systems creates a safer working environment for all, whilst giving you maximum flexibility.

IMPROVE ACCESS

VoidSafe™ Protection System significantly improves site logistics and access to the floor area.

NO MORE HANDRAILS

Reduces timber shuttering and handrail requirements to internal voids during construction.

SMD

Structural Floor and Roof Solutions

www.smdltd.co.uk

GET INVOLVED

The housing industry is experiencing unprecedented demand – volumetric modular technology is hailed as the ultimate fast-track solution.

Now is the time to capitalise on this opportunity.

Join the VOLUMETRIC HOMES GROUP today and become part of the community that is driving change.

Join Today! For more information, contact a member of the team: 01743 290001 info@volumetrichomesgroup.co.uk MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Direct representation within the wider construction industry • Positive influence and engagement to increase market share • Dedicated marketing and PR campaign • Industry collaboration and knowledge transfer • Preferential advertising rates in numerous publications including the Offsite Magazine • Speaking and sponsorship opportunities • Exhibitor and entry discounts for our annual conference and Modular Matters • Round Table and Factory Tour sponsorship hosting opportunities • Exclusive access to networking and business development events

new homes are built in factories rather than the current predominant batch production model. Manufacturing precision engineered homes in a factory, rather than building homes in rain, wind and snow in a field, enables us to create better quality energy efficient housing and also empowers us to deliver more homes more quickly. Councils have a key role to play in this. Having built more than 100,000 new homes per year up until tackle these problems.”

2

the late 1970s over the past decade local authorities have averaged 1,500 homes a year. By taking the lead on housing development, councils can lead the charge on building back better by bringing forward much-needed housing more quickly, control the speed, type, quality and tenure mix of developments and potentially retain ownership of their land assets if they hold the housing stock for the long-term. Carbon neutral homes also enable families to save hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills. Creating a new generation of low carbon homes creates win-wins for local authorities, taxpayers, local residents and the environment.

While the COVID-19 crisis presents us with unprecedented challenges it also creates an opportunity for us all to build back better. That’s why we partnered with NetZero Buildings to develop a net zero carbon housing offer designed for our Council and Housing Association partners and recently started on-site with our first zero carbon family housing development in Kent. Let’s harness our collective experience of COVIS-19 and work together to make sure that it happens.

For more information visit:

Images:

01-02. Net Zero neighbourhoods will increasingly be part of future housing plans

NET ZERO FOR SITTINGBOURNE

Work has begun on Kent’s new zero carbon neighbourhood. The new development of six high-quality, zero carbon, family homes for rent, will transform vacant land in Oak Road, Sittingbourne in to one of the most energy-efficient housing schemes in the country. The homes are being delivered by Public Sector Plc in partnership with NetZero Buildings.

The new all-electric modular homes in Sittingbourne are able to achieve carbon neutrality thanks to their airtight, well-insulated walls and will feature photovoltaic solar roof panels, to enable the properties to generate their own electricity. They also have hot water heated by an air source heat pump to further reduce electricity consumption. Homes England have provided debt finance to part-fund the development, which is due to be completed by the end of January 2021.

Adam Cunnington, CEO of Public Sector Plc, said: “As we all begin the economic recovery from COVID-19 we are extremely excited about delivering Kent’s new zero carbon neighbourhood. Our country not only faces a crisis in the quantity of homes but also the quality, as well as a global climate emergency. We’re proud to be leading the way with a new generation of housing which helps to www.publicsectorplc.com

From its factory in Cambridge, NetZero Buildings has pioneered the production of true net zero carbon and energy positive buildings in Britain over the past six years. Steve Murphy, CEO of NetZero Buildings, said: “This industry-leading housing scheme in Kent is a landmark development for NetZero Buildings. We are incredibly proud to be delivering our first housing development, which will create one of the most energy-efficient neighbourhoods in England. We can’t wait for the first residents to move in and experience the benefits of living in a warm, modern, comfortable zero carbon home which costs very little money to heat.”

Julian Lockwood, Director at Pozzoni Architecture, added: “After so much disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re delighted to be moving forward with this revolutionary new housing project in partnership with Public Sector Plc and NetZero Buildings. As well as being manufactured with greater efficiency, Oak Road’s new homes will also be incredibly energy-efficient – helping residents reduce their carbon footprint and keeping running costs low for years to come. With local and central government renewing their commitments to environmental sustainability in the wake of COVID-19, we see modern methods of construction playing an increasingly pivotal role in delivering high-quality new housing at the necessary speed and scale.”