UK INDUSTRY NEWS Housing 21 Choose Modular Retirement Living Not-for-profit housing and care provider, Housing 21 has launched modular build developments at two Retirement Living courts in Shrewsbury and Brighouse, West Yorkshire. The offsite modular construction project is one of the latest in older people’s housing and has taken place on land owned by Housing 21 at Richard Onslow Court and Ward Court. The new properties mark a step forward in an in-filling approach which provides much-needed housing by utilising existing space and minimizing disruption to neighbouring residents. The organisation worked with construction firm, M-AR Off-Site Ltd and Henry Riley LLP consultants to build the two developments of modular one bedroom apartments and bungalows specifically for people over the age of 55. Siobhan Moore, Director of Development at Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to see these new properties at courts where local authorities expressed a need for more retirement housing in the area. Modular construction allowed us to fill these requirements quickly and efficiently whilst maintaining the high level of quality our residents expect. Using modern construction methods, elements such as plumbing and electrics were able to be fitted and installed offsite reducing the amount of time on-site and disruption to residents in the existing properties at the court.”
Farmer Appointed MMC Champion
The apartments at the Housing 21 courts are complete with kitchens and shower rooms and were transported by road, before being lifted into position where external finish and roof construction took place. Ryan Geldard, Head of Operations at M-AR Off-Site commented: “Bungalows are an offering that has not traditionally been delivered in an offsite way. So, for us, we had to challenge a lot of convention to make this work. To look at it, you wouldn't see that there was anything different to what a normal building would be but ultimately that building's now becoming a home for people to retire into and get some assisted living. That's something that really strikes a chord with what we're trying to achieve as a business”
Dan Macpherson, Senior Associate at Henry Riley LLP consultants added: “The adoption of light gauge steel frame modular construction on the two projects delivered all of the perceived benefits that this form of construction brings: 60% saving on programme, minimal disruption to existing residents as well as adjacent properties and school, high quality and reduction in waste driven from a factory controlled environment and adoption of innovate construction methodologies and materials.”
Well known within offsite and construction circles, Mark Farmer brings 30 years’ experience in construction to the role and will provide independent scrutiny and advice to the Government on how to increase the use of offsite in homebuilding. He will also be charged with developing the ‘Construction Corridor’ in the North and promoting wider innovation in the sector and part of the drive to make the North of England the world-leader in the creation of modern, green homes.
Mark Farmer added: “I am delighted to have been asked to carry out this new role. This is a really important time for the construction industry and there is an urgent need to rethink how we build homes, delivering better quality, improved safety, carbon reduction and an array of exciting new career opportunities. I look forward to working with both industry and Government to make sure we now accelerate the uptake of modern methods of construction.
Farmer will also act as an ambassador overseas for the UK’s offsite activities in homebuilding, using international networks and trade opportunities to attract investment into an industry that could be worth an estimated £40 billion once mature. It follows a major funding deal with the government injecting £30 million into ilke Homes, the biggest ever government investment in an offsite factory.
Mark Farmer has been given the new role of Champion for Modern Methods of Construction as part of the government’s drive to make the UK the global leader in housing standards.
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Housing Minister Esther McVey said: “I want to see modern methods of construction – the new gold standard of building – being used up and down the country to usher in a green housing revolution. That’s why it is such fantastic news that Mark Farmer has agreed to be our new MMC Champion – to really drive forward innovation, and to help the government deliver a new generation of green homes.”
Source: www.housing21.org.uk
Russell Pedley, co-founder at Assael Architecture who co-chairs the Urban Land Institute UK Residential Council with Mark Farmer, said: “Mark is the perfect ambassador for the sector and this welcome appointment shows ministers are really prioritising ways to build cleaner, better quality homes more quickly in factories.” Source: www.gov.uk/government/news
WWW.OFFSITEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019