Pocket Living will use offsite techniques in Croydon
Offsite spending will increase by 20% up to 2023, while Laing O’Rourke secures huge DfMA deal with Stanhope.
More than two-thirds of housebuilders are investing in modular construction, as the sector aims to improve standards and energy efficiency, new research has revealed.
The survey by Lloyds Bank of more than 100 homebuilders found that they plan to increase spending on “innovative building techniques” from 20% of turnover to 24% during the next five years.
Modular construction leads the way, with 68% of housebuilding firms saying they are investing in the methodology, followed by site-based modern methods of construction (61%), where components are brought together for assembly on site, and panelised systems (56%).
This boost for the offsite housing sector came as Laing O’Rourke secured a major vote of confidence in its design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) process, agreeing a partnership with developer Stanhope and housing association Network Homes to use factory-build methods for the delivery of thousands of new homes over the next five years.
The contractor’s first project will be a £200m, 550-unit scheme next to Southall railway station in west London.
Also in the capital, Mayor Sadiq Khan has approved plans by developer Pocket Living to build a 21-storey, 153-home residential tower in Croydon, which will be built using offsite construction methods (pictured).
The Lloyds report said that housebuilders’ reasons for investing in offsite techniques included improving efficiency, elimination of waste, better energy performance and better construction standards.
The sector has been under scrutiny over the build standards of its new homes, with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for built environment quality criticising the 92% dissatisfaction rate in the last Home Builders Federation (HBF) customer survey.
“From exploring new methods of construction to prioritising investment in skills or diversifying their products, housebuilders are readily planning for the future,” said HBF chairman Stewart Baseley.
