One local authority is exploring the use of MMC to
deliver homes for affordable rent through an innovative
pilot scheme. Nuneaton and Bedworth Council (NBBC) has
just completed its first modular build having securing
£120,000 worth of funding from Homes England.
The pilot development consists of four modular
semi-detached two bedroom properties, built on former
garage sites on Ashington Road, Bedworth and has been
used to test the feasibility of using modular housing
to increase the pace of housing delivery.
Mat Byrne, Head of Development for NBBC said “We
identified modular development as an efficient and cost
effective solution to respond to the growing demand for
housing. We started from scratch and worked with a
local firm to develop a working model for our homes.
It’s been a long process and we’ve learnt a lot along
the way but as a result of the pilot, we’ve found that
we are able to reduce the build time by approximately
10 - 12 weeks when compared with traditional build.”
“This model has enabled us to deliver homes in a
reduced timeframe, without compromising on quality with
the added benefit of minimising disruption to residents
living nearby as the time onsite is significantly
reduced.”
The team at NBBC has already identified a further seven
sites for potential development over the next year and
are working with other local authorities with a view to
sharing the knowledge and expertise developed as a
result of the pilot. They are also in the process of
establishing a procurement framework through which they
provide suppliers with more assurances and greater
volumes and can achieve economies of scale.
Head of Home Ownership & Supply in the Midlands for
Homes England, Caroline Cormack comments: “At Homes
England we are committed to promoting modern methods of
construction across the industry, so it’s great to see
organisations such as Nuneaton & Bedworth Council
who are willing to not only conduct their own pilot but
also to work with partners to secure a supply chain.”
The newly created framework will enable NBBC to share
their knowledge of the modular house process from
design and planning through to construction with other
local authorities. They are already in discussion with
Warwick District Council, Stratford-On-Avon District
Council, Rugby Borough Council and North Warwickshire
Borough Council for information on their pilot scheme.
Dawn Dawson, Director for Housing, Communities and
Economic Development at NBBC said: “I’m really proud of
what we’ve been able to achieve through this pilot
scheme and it’s opened up conversations in the wider
region about how we can diversify the delivery of
housing to suit the needs of our communities.
There is still some work to be done around modular
construction to dispel myth that it is comparable to
the 1960 prefab homes, this couldn’t be further from
the truth. Modular construction has provided us with
high quality, energy efficient, well designed housing
that will provide much needed homes for families in
Nuneaton and Bedworth.”
