A new trade body specifically for the offsite modular housing sector was unveiled this week by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, with the aim of bringing together all contributors to help tackle the country’s housing crisis.
Members of the new body, Make UK Modular, can between them produce a new home every two hours, with 97% less embodied carbon than traditional builds and its members have already invested more than £500million in new factories, processes and technology, says the organisation.
‘Modular housing has grown rapidly in the last few years. The establishment of our own trade body is the crucial next step in this process,” said Dave Sheridan, Chair of the new body.
“As a natural partner to Government to solve the housing crisis, deliver the levelling up agenda, and combat climate change Make Modular will accelerate and advance the MMC agenda through one strong voice rather than a series of disparate ones.”
With a construction sector expected to lose at least 25% of its workforce by between 2016-25’, modular housing provides the opportunity to construct offsite and in regions where labour is available. Current factories driving the start of the modular revolution are already located in the Midlands and the North of the country, providing highly skilled and sought after careers using the latest digital and automated technologies with innovative design bringing about the highest environmental credentials.
Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK added: “Imaginative and speedy solutions are required to tackle Britain’s housing crisis and modular housing could certainly play a significant part in helping local authorities deliver the challenging home building targets set for them by Government. But to make real significant progress, modular housing needs to have equal access to land for construction with many sites still favouring traditional modes of construction.
“Modular also needs to have the weight of Government procurement behind it using a joined-up approach including education, defence and housing to build much needed scale the UK’s modular industry.
“Modular housing manufacturers are also keen to accelerate the development of building regulations to match a new, more ambitious new normal when it comes to quality and energy across construction as a whole, driving forward the world’s biggest challenge of climate change.”
The body is backed byGoldman Sachs, Laing O’Rourke, Legal & General, Sekisui House and TDR Capital, with support also provided by Homes England, with members including TopHat, Urban Splash, Ilke Homes, Laing O’Rourke, Legal and General Modular.
