Planning for the Future - Modular Housing
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Planning for the Future - Modular Housing

Published on 1 December 2020
THIS PIECE IS PART OF OUR PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE SERIES.

We are convinced that changing the way we build homes could make a major contribution to easing the housing crisis.

The benefits of moving from traditional on-site construction to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) were set out in the Latham Report as long ago as 1994. These include faster production rates, better quality control and safer working conditions.

Modular construction of factory built, fully finished modules of homes, including fitted out kitchens and bathrooms is proving particularly successful. Finished modules can be transported to site and fixed together to create low-rise, mid-rise and even high-rise housing of up to 38 storeys. The shorter on-site construction period achieved with modular housing significantly reduces the disruption to people living and working nearby.

Modular housing is a particularly good fit with several proposals within the White Paper. There is an opportunity to link the typologies proposed in Pattern Books to modular dimensions suitable for transportation to site and to optimise designs to avoid waste. Homes produced in factory conditions with higher quality control make it easier to achieve high environmental performance standards.

The difficulty of providing warranties presents a barrier to the more widespread adoption of modular housing. Amendment of the building regulations, which are largely designed for traditional construction methods, should address this. For gentle densification of infill sites and phased development of Growth areas, reducing disruption to neighbours will be welcomed. But most importantly, modular construction can provide homes faster than traditional methods which fulfils a key White Paper objective.

Recommendations

  • Ensure Pattern Book typologies can be constructed using modular housing technology.
  • Amend building regulations to reflect modular construction and facilitate provision of warranties.
Tags
Planning White Paper, Planning for the Future