Big five modular builders form trade body
The UK’s big five MMC builders have teamed up to form a new trade body to accelerate the growth of the modular sector.
Trade body Make Modular brings together leading modular housing manufacturers: TopHat, Urban Splash, Ilke Homes, Laing O’Rourke, Legal and General Modular.
It is being supported by the wider manufacturers body Make UK.
Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, said:“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.”
Together the member firms claim to have created more than 2,000 new jobs during the last three years.
They aim by moving people off-site and into clean, safe, modern working conditions volumetric to rebuild the construction workforce bringing up to 50,000 new younger people into the industry.
Make Modular members are planning to help solve the country’s housing crisis by delivering 75,000 affordable homes before the end of the decade, with a combined capacity to produce a new home every two hours from their factories.
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.
Dave Sheridan, Chair of Make UK Modular said: “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.
“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.”
Tolent to start £50m Brett Wharf site in Gateshead
Gateshead-based contractor Tolent is preparing to start the first phase of works on the £50m Brett Wharf development.
The prominent site on Gateshead’s quayside will create 269 one and two-bed apartments for rent, as well as commercial space, flexible offices, coffee shops and restaurants.
Specialist remediation works began last month to clean up the former oil storage depot site, which is expected to continue until spring 2022.
Following these works, Tolent will then begin the main construction work on behalf of client Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (REIM).
This scheme also marks the latest collaboration between Tolent and Newcastle-based DPP Planning. Having secured planning permission for the original development, DPP has been retained by REIM and Tolent to manage post-decision planning requirements, which includes the details on managing the groundworks and areas such as decisions over the final materials and signage.
Steve Church, contracts manager for Tolent, said: “This is a hugely significant project for the city and we’re delighted to be a part of the ongoing regeneration of Gateshead’s quayside.”
Caddick seals deal for Leeds YoYo next phase
Caddick Group has secured funding for the next phase of its £300m SOYO neighbourhood in central Leeds.
The deal with investor Federated Hermes will allow work to start on two new blocks delivering 331 build to rent homes to be operated under the Hestia brand.
The two adjoining blocks will be delivered alongside new public realm including green spaces and a pedestrian square, in the fast-evolving cultural quarter of the city.
Scheduled for completion in late 2023, the project will support 2,000 construction jobs and 14 apprenticeships in the sector during the course of the build programme, which will be carried out by Caddick’s Construction arm.
As well as rental homes, SOYO will include a new hotel, bars, restaurants, further residential and a multi‑storey car park
Leeds-based DLG Architects have been tasked with designing the buildings with reduced embodied carbon alongside high levels of insulation and renewable technologies part-powering the building.
Myles Hartley, managing director of Caddick Developments said: “Our vertically integrated business provides a wide range of end-to-end services for institutions looking to enter the market and want to work both at scale and at speed.
“By working collaboratively with others, we expect the built to rent sector to have a hugely positive impact on the UK housing market over the next decade, improving living standards for millions of residents. SOYO will be at the forefront of that ambition.”
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