Calls mount for government action to boost MMC production

Housing association Places for People has called on the government to back modular housing production with developer subsidies and planning policy incentives. The demands from PfP in a report with the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research come as calls mount for greater government support for modern methods of construction. PfP and Cambridge University said greater cross-industry collaboration and industry regulation is required to accelerate the sector. The Deploying Modular Housing in the UK report calls for industry standards and warranties like those of traditional builds to “provide certainty and confidence” for housebuilders, lenders and buyers. The report outlines construction barriers for housebuilders – including low productivity, labour shortages, lack of collaboration and failure to embrace new technologies. To overcome this, the industry must provide evidence to showcase the benefits of off-site solutions. “Issues such as regulatory and approval barriers, skills shortages in the factories and a lack of cross-sector support are hindering the growth of modular construction – slowing down the take-up,” said Scott Black, group executive director for development at Places for People. “As an industry, we have the vision and the capabilities, but we need to pull together to address the barriers outlined in this report and pave the way for a sustainable, modular future, one underpinned by an adequately skilled workforce who can drive the technology forward – helping establish it as a credible building practice for future consumers.” Gemma Burgess, director of the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the report, also highlighted “the need for investment in the development of a different set of skills than those used on traditional sites”. This includes digital skills to understand new software. Earlier this month, ilke Homes executive chairman Dave Sheridan called on all parts of the supply chain to work together to scale the number of modular homes. His demands were echoed by the government’s champion for modern housebuilding, Mark Farmer. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @EGPropertyNews Photo © ilke Homes