Factory that can produce 1,000 homes a year launched

Image: Inside a LoCaL Homes factory

A factory that can produce more than 1,000 homes a year has been launched in Walsall by LoCaL Homes.

The 56,000 sq ft facility, which produces closed panel timber homes, was officially opened by housing minister Kit Malthouse yesterday.

Part of Accord Housing Association, it is LoCaL Homes’ second offsite factory in the West Midlands and is the result of £1m of investment from the organisation.

It is expected increase Accord’s delivery of new homes by 300%. The homes can be delivered anywhere in the country and then built in as little as one day.

LoCaL Homes has so far developed more than 1,000 homes across the country in places ranging from Preston to Cornwall.

“Innovation is crucial to delivering the homes communities need, which is why £2.5bn of our Home Building Fund provides support for modern methods of construction,” said Malthouse.

“This new factory is great news for the West Midlands and a clear example of the potential for modern methods of construction to support more, better, faster housebuilding.”

Chief executive of Accord Housing Association, Dr Chris Handy, said: “The knowledge and experience the team has been developing since the launch of our first factory over seven years ago means we have been constantly innovating and improving when it comes to providing the homes the country needs quickly, without compromising on quality.

“Whilst we have big ambitions to produce more than 1,000 homes per year, we require a collaborative and strategic approach across the country to meet housing need. That’s why we have developed an approach which can be replicated and we’ll be working with housing and local authority partners to make this a reality.”