Mark Farmer hails new and ‘very different’ modular builder

Mark Farmer has welcomed the launch of a new and “very different” modular builder, after it opened its first factory.

Farmer, author of the influential Modernise or Die report, CEO of Cast Consultancy, and a government-appointed champion of modern methods of construction (MMC) in housebuilding, appeared at the official launch of the CoreHaus factory in County Durham on 30 July.

Farmer said he was excited about the factory, which will produce around 1,000 steel-framed modular homes a year. He added: “CoreHaus is an important step towards modernising construction. The product is very different to many modular homes – it’s a hybrid modular home with its pod and panel approach.”

CoreHaus, which employs 12 people, is a joint-venture company between Carlton & Co Group, the parent company behind North East-based Homes by Carlton, and national social enterprise Fusion21.

CoreHaus is starting to produce homes for the Thorpe Thewles site in County Durham being developed by Homes by Carlton.

The business aims to produce 1,000 homes a year and employ 300 people within five years.

CoreHaus managing director Scott Bibby explained: “The housing market remains incredibly buoyant with demand continuing to outstrip supply. There’s some extremely positive collaboration going on in the industry which will increase market share and strengthen the reputation of MMC.

“We know the housing sector wants something that’s both affordable and incorporates high-quality design within a modular frame. We are already in discussions with several regional and national housing associations interested in working with our product.

“Our light gauge steel-frame system ensures that CoreHaus can be used in both urban and rural locations with elevation treatments tailored to suit each setting, providing almost unlimited design potential. The standardised modular core means the solution can be configured for homes of almost any size.”

CoreHaus opening: from left, Scott Bibby of CoreHaus; Gaynor Tennant, Offsite Alliance; and Mark Farmer, adviser to Government on MMC