Increasing the percentage of offsite-constructed homes and encouraging more young people to embrace a career in construction will be key components in enabling the government to implement its planning reform aims, says insulation specialist Actis.
The comment follows news that the first phase of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, to be introduced in the spring, will see developers potentially being given default permission to build homes near commuter and transport hubs.
Mark Cooper, sales director of Actis UK and Ireland, explained: “Alongside overhauling the planning system, practical considerations need to be taken into account if the government is to achieve its aim of delivering 1.5 million homes during the current parliament.
“These include increasing the number of offsite homes we build as a nation and making a concerted effort to encourage more young people to enter the construction industry.
“We will need to increase the rate at which we deliver new homes, with offsite being an excellent way to achieve this as they can be built up to 30% more quickly than their traditional counterparts.
“Elements such as wiring, plumbing and insulation take place offsite, in the factory. Our insulation systems take between 25 and 50% less time to install than traditional alternatives, which all helps to speed up the process. The onsite build element typically takes between seven and 12 days, depending on the size of house.
“While they are quicker to build, the quality of offsite homes is far better controlled. Timber frame homes can be thermally superb, cutting carbon emissions and saving money and resources.
“With a recent report by Checkatrade revealing that the UK needs another 1.3 million skilled workers and 350,000 apprentices, the industry and government needs to make a concerted effort to attract new recruits. In the meantime, the reduced build time of offsite houses means more homes can be constructed by fewer people.”
