Housing White Paper does have some merits, we believe

Increased funding for off-site construction and plans to create greater awareness of the benefits of non-mainstream construction methods outlined in this week’s Housing White Paper have been welcomed by insulation specialist ACTIS, despite accusations from many quarters that the paper offers nothing revolutionary.

Recognition in the paper that timber frame buildings will play a vital role in helping to increase housebuilding volumes in the UK should help off-site construction become more mainstream, ACTIS believes.

ACTIS UK and Ireland director Mark Cooper has been ‘making the case’ for off-site construction for many years – and he is delighted about the government’s recognition that it will play a major role in addressing the housing crisis.

The white paper echoes Mark’s longstanding assertion that homes created off-site can be built up to 30% more quickly than their brick and block counterparts – and that costs can be reduced by as much as 25%. The speed of the build and the fact that fewer skilled man hours are required not only addresses the housing crisis but the skills shortage as well.

Not only should the government backing of innovative construction methods give more confidence to mainstream builders, the £3bn Home Building Fund should help smaller developers currently struggling to finance their schemes, says Mark.

He explained: “The bulk of the skilled element takes place off-site. Timber frame walls, floors and roofs, complete with electrical wiring, plumbing and insulation are built in factories at relative speed. Indeed some insulation systems such as ACTIS Hybrid, which consists of insulation, vapour control layer and breather membrane, can be installed effectively with ease by someone who has had minimal training which can even be delivered via an on line tutorial.

“As these three in one systems are quicker to install than traditional insulation – many builders report savings of 25 to 50% - this in turn also frees up more man hours.”

Communities secretary Sajid Javid said in the white paper: “Homes constructed off-site are high quality, reliable, more productive and can be highly energy efficient. They can require fewer people on site, helping to mitigate the skills shortage. To underpin the growth of this sector we must ensure that homes built off-site can access finance on the same basis as traditionally built homes.

“Firms will be encouraged to increase use of off-site construction through the £3bn Home Building Fund and the Accelerated Construction programme.

“This will create new opportunities for the use of modern methods of construction to encourage investors into the sector and give current suppliers confidence to expand into the housing market. It will also support the delivery of high quality, energy efficient homes through these programmes.”