Homes England names sites for six-year MMC study

Homes England has set out the details of eight developments on which it is to conduct an in-depth, six-year study of the use of modern methods of construction in the housebuilding industry.

The housing quango named the sites – in total comprising 1,800 homes – as it set out details of the study of MMC construction, first announced last year, which is to be carried out by engineer Atkins and its surveying subsidiary Faithful & Gould.

Sites include Urban Splash's 406-home Northstowe Phase 2 scheme, on which it is delivering its modular "house" product in conjunction with Japanese modular giant Sekisui.

Schemes include three fully modular projects, three panellised system projects, one combination of the two and one light gauge steel frame project.

Homes England said it will provide annual updates on progress on the schemes, before a final report issued at the end of the build programme.

The research will consider 15 different aspect of MMC delivery, from cost and productivity to safety, wastage and build quality. Atkins and Faithful & Gould will carry out the research with assistance from the Building Research Establishment and University College London.

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher said the research "will help us further understand these new construction technologies which could be revolutionary for the industry in terms of improved productivity, build speed, and economies of scale."

Robert Stone, Technical Director at Homes England, said: "Now more than ever, we recognise that more needs to be done to share learning and build confidence in MMC. This large-scale, long-term and in-depth project will provide the sector with the valuable evidence it needs to make informed decisions about MMC and deliver better homes faster."

The full list of schemes is: