How can local councils respond to the value of MMC
When it comes to assessing the housing crisis there are several factors that need to be factored into the equation, including 30-year high inflation rates, rocketing energy prices, a dwindling construction workforce and escalating housebuilding costs. It’s a complex situation and one that requires fast and decisive action to be taken.
The issue has been side-lined by consecutive governments who have allowed it to snowball into the current situation we find ourselves in today. New solutions are urgently needed to address the problems faced by the social housing sector, and while take up of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is slower compared to private companies, it could provide some much-needed answers.
The current state of play
Research carried out by homeless charity Shelter revealed that the UK has suffered a net loss of nearly half a million social housing units since the turn of the millennium. This is exacerbated by an ever-growing waiting list that currently stands at over 1.1 million people. To meet demand, the UK needs around 150,000 new social housing units to be built every year, but the average annual output stands at around 4.4% of that figure.
One way to solve the problem could be through the adoption of MMC. In Spring 2021, following chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget announcement, the government set up the MMC Task Force, with £10m-funded body helping to accelerate housebuilding using the latest technology and methods.
It arrived at a time when the pandemic had forced providers and housebuilders to take a step back and reflect on how they deliver housing, which allowed MMC to be seen in a more favourable light. Reliance on an outdated materials supply chain was also highlighted during the pandemic, as the sector rarely procures material in advance nor buys in bulk, which often impacts scheduling and delivery times.
Experts have estimated that compared to using traditional methods, a house built using MMC could be completed 10-60% faster (a more precise figure is yet to be decided upon). The design phase is significantly shorter with MMC due to use of uniform manufacturing processes, lowering the need for the various professionals that are typically involved in onsite project development.
MMC solutions for the future
Housebuilding can become cheaper and more predictable with MMC, as a labour force can be secured during periods of the year when builders tend to find themselves out of work. Offsite production requires one workforce to complete the build, making it easier to manage and orchestrate day to day.
Another key benefit of MMC is that it can significantly reduce the environmental impact of building, which is something all local authorities now need to seriously consider in any new project. Offsite construction wastes less than 1% of unused materials, compared to 20% for traditional methods. Studies have also shown that there is around 80% less site traffic for offsite construction compared to onsite.
One of the main problems MMC manufacturers must overcome is that many local authorities and housing associations are reliant on traditional methods and remain hesitant to change. It needs some form of breakthrough moment that will give authorities more confidence that MMC offers an affordable, secure long-term solution. Government intervention or quotas can help, but the real drive needs to come from the individual local planning departments themselves.
The signs of change are indeed positive, following the recent announcement made by an alliance of housing associations brought together by the National Housing Federation on a £600m social framework. The Building Better alliance focuses solely on MMC and is made up of 29 councils and housing associations, and they recently selected a group of manufacturers to deliver 5,000 new build affordable homes by 2026. However, instead of being category 1 volumetric 3D units, these new homes will all be MMC category 2 construction systems (two dimensional panelised systems).
And, of course, there is the £8.6 billion funding package being provided by the government to build up to 180,000 new affordable homes in England from 2021-2026. MMC is a key part of the Affordable Home Programme managed by Homes England, with 25% of the builds set to be delivered through Strategic Partnerships. There is no doubt that these numbers are encouraging but there is still a long way to go to ensure that MMC is fully embraced and utilised by local authorities.
MMC architect support
TEREYN Architects are passionate about MMC by working with local councils and housing associations to deliver on the housing targets set today and into the future. To find out more and to see how we can help your next project, get in touch today on 07984 760 920, send us a message here or email us at info@tereynarchitects.com and we’ll get right back to you.
