Explore Offsite Housing – Urban Splash

Declaring the housing market as ‘ broken ’ the government announced a pledge to invest in the offsite construction industry . The housing white paper sets out the government ’ s intentions to resolve the housing crisis through a series of measures with releasing more land , making planning more accessible and increasing productivity being the main solutions .

Accelerating construction and increasing productivity through supporting offsite manufacturing techniques is a key objective that will act as a catalyst for change in the wider housing market .

The white paper recognised that the house building sector is less productive than the wider industry due to its slow approach to modernisation and lack of utilising efficient and faster ways of building . Reports cited within the paper suggest that through the use of modern methods of construction , homes constructed offsite can be built 30 % faster than traditional build whilst also reducing the cost by 25 %.

Pulse Modular Housing – Michael Stockdale , joint CEO of Pulse

Pulse Modular Homes is highlighting the use of modular factory-built homes to provide much needed homes across England . Pulse is already expanding its footprint and working with both local authorities and housing associations to deliver innovative solutions in site selection – above carparks , using old banks of dilapidated garages , old gasometers and other brownfield sites .

Brian Berry

Federation of Master Builders ( FMB )

Brian Berry , chief executive of the FMB , said : “ I ’ m pleased that the White Paper recognises the potential for SMEs to deliver far more homes than they do currently . In addition , it accurately identifies the key barriers to them doing so as land , planning and finance . Of these , finding small sites and then getting planning permission is the greatest single barrier . In too many places , the approach to planning for new homes has come to be focused almost entirely on large sites and large scale delivery . This approach has slowed down the delivery of homes , and has helped shape an uncompetitive house building industry and an unresponsive supply of housing – this has to end .

“ There is much that is good and sensible in the White Paper so let ’ s use it as a launch pad for a real step change in delivery . It is in everyone ’ s interest to see SMEs play a far greater role in house building and small sites are key to this .”

Confederation of British Industry ( CBI )

Rhian Kelly , CBI infrastructure director , said :

“ A quiet revolution is needed to shake up how business and the government deliver the UK ’ s housing needs , so this White Paper is a welcome step in the right direction .

“ The intention to deliver a diverse mix of homes – especially affordable homes to rent – is particularly good news . We have called for the ‘ one size fits all ’ approach to housing to be ditched , and are glad to see a move to building the right homes in the right places that fit the actual needs of people and communities .

“ It ’ s encouraging the government is looking at how to make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to succeed in the market . Taking a clearer , more strategic approach to public land release will also see more bricks being laid , so we welcome the government turning its eye to this developing area .”

Naomi Heaton

London Central Portfolio ( LCP )

Naomi Heaton , CEO of London Central Portfolio :

“ Sajid Javid ’ s lacklustre announcement , and accompanying 104-page document , was an underwhelming response . Reiterating the grave problems facing the housing market , about which we are all too familiar , there was a distinct absence of any detailed implementation programme .

“ Having lobbied the government on the inadequate supply of rental

property , which became a scapegoat under George Osborne ’ s tenure , LCP welcomed the sentiment to assist families within the private rented sector as well as those wishing to buy their own homes . At last the government has woken up to the fact that not everyone aspires to homeownership , with an increasingly mobile workforce and a generational change in lifestyle .

“ For the first time , the government announced a relaxing of restrictions in its Affordable Homes Programme to include affordable rental property . It also , once again , proposes to consult on longer tenancies on new build rental homes .

“ However , very little detail was included as to how these policies will be executed or enforced . More information on the ban on letting agent ’ s fees was also absent , which now is to be subject to consultation .

On the whole , the much-hyped Housing White paper appears to do very little to ‘ fix our broken housing market ’.”