Extracts from Lords debate on Residential Construction and Housing Supply - Apr 24
Thursday, 25 April 2019 08:14
Baroness Thornhill (LD):...Although there is huge potential, the
reality is that investors are slow to lend as the technology is
untried and, frankly, the public perception of such homes is far
from positive. People moving into one of these homes may find
insurers reluctant to insure, or their insurance may be expensive;
they may also struggle to get a mortgage on such a property. There
are a limited number of suppliers in the supply chain, all of which
need more confidence in the...Request free trial
(LD):...Although
there is huge potential, the reality is that investors are slow to
lend as the technology is untried and, frankly, the public
perception of such homes is far from positive. People moving into
one of these homes may find insurers reluctant to insure, or their
insurance may be expensive; they may also struggle to get a
mortgage on such a property. There are a limited number of
suppliers in the supply chain, all of which need more confidence in
the industry—I believe that only government can provide that—and
several of which have crashed in recent years. However, I am a
convert. I believe that these issues can be overcome. I also
believe that there is huge potential to be innovative. For example,
using MMC, would it be possible to ensure that homes are
manufactured to a higher Thermal value than conventional builds,
thus reducing fuel poverty? The Building Research Establishment in
Watford has a stunningly innovative modular dementia-friendly home
all ready to go. I say this to the Minister: we could be world
leaders in this field...
The (CB):...Good
design and durable outcomes also need competent professional
skills, and we will need to refocus what we do to deal not only
with traditional construction but with new forms.
At present, we are cutting corners. The Building Research
Establishment’s finding of poor Thermal efficiency in many modern
homes is something I still encounter in new housing today. Local
government and housing associations should build more social
housing. It will take time to create volume, though perhaps modular
construction can help in that respect...
(LD):...Tools
do exist for testing the Thermal performance of the house at
the point of sale. Indeed, I saw it done in my own house; I can say
from my experience that I built a passive house and my heating
bills are exactly within the range quoted by the architect and
small builder. What is more, they checked this
out again a year later to make sure the house was still
performing—it is. The committee’s witnesses said they would be
happy to be measured on this basis, so why do the regulations not
insist that, instead of being based on a theoretical design, the
EPC is issued on actual performance?
To read the whole debate, CLICK
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