Bellway will build its first modular homes after being selected to deliver a pilot project with Homes England in Milton Keynes. A detailed planning application has been lodged with Milton Keynes Council for 160 homes at Tattenhoe Park.
Bellway will employ modern methods of construction (MMC) across the site, with 25% modular housing, 50% closed panel timber frame homes and 25% open panel timber frame properties. The development, which will be built on a 9.2-acre parcel of land, is the fourth phase of the wider Tattenhoe Park scheme.
Bellway’s Northern Home Counties division, which is based in Milton Keynes, tendered for the land as part of a series of Homes England pilot projects to speed up delivery through MMC.
Paul Smits, Managing Director of Bellway Northern Home Counties, said:
“Tattenhoe Park is a landmark extension to Milton Keynes which has been under way since 2011. As a major employer in the town and with a long history of providing new homes locally, Bellway was keen to secure this opportunity to deliver the company’s first modular homes and help meet housing need in Milton Keynes.
“The tender programme for the phase four land was highly competitive. Homes England’s exacting criteria required us to demonstrate our expertise and those of our partners for the project. We are now preparing to start work on site in December, subject to planning consent. The build programme is scheduled to take two years.”
Homes England’s pilot projects will deliver 1,800 homes across the country as part of a study into the benefits of the different modern methods of construction. In addition to improving quality, employing MMC can help to reduce construction waste and create more energy efficient homes. Both modular and timber framed methods help to mitigate the impact of the skills shortage on the industry as fewer workers are required to complete each unit.
Alison Crofton, Head of Planning and Enabling at Homes England, said:
“Our Modern Methods of Construction research project is part of the Government’s objective to improve construction productivity and encourage the uptake of MMC to build the well-designed, green homes of the future. These new homes at Tattenhoe Park will use modern methods of construction to create quality, energy efficient homes and add to the new community already being created at the site.”
Data from the Homes England trial schemes will be analysed to determine how modern methods can be used more widely and whether further improvements to the process can be achieved.
Bellway has partnered with Ilke Homes to manufacture the modular units, and Stewart Milne Timber Systems to supply the timber-framed elements.
Tattenhoe Park is a 176-acre site located to the south west of Milton Keynes. The undeveloped parcels of land are owned by Homes England. Phase three is currently being delivered by Countryside using MMC.
Outline planning permission for 1,310 homes was granted in 2007 and renewed in 2017. Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes built the first homes, and a new school has been delivered.
Phase four will include 48 affordable homes and a selection of wheelchair accessible units. Almost one third of the properties will be flexible or extendable homes, which could be adapted to suit residents’ future needs.
