THE proportion of homes built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) will rise from around 8% today to approximately 20% in ten years time, according to a new report from real estate advisor Savills.
The report revealed that housing supply shortages, regulatory/government intervention, and the need to improve energy efficiency are all driving adoption of methods such as offsite manufacturing. Cost and availability of labour are also factors.
According to the report, the UK was already facing ‘significant challenges’, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, both in terms of housing shortages and energy targets. Homes for Scotland (HFS) estimates that 25,000 homes are needed each year to keep up with housing demand, not including the 80,000 shortfall in the supply of housing since 2008. The energy efficiency of homes will also need to dramatically improve along with reducing the environmental impact of construction if both UK and Scottish Government pledges on carbon neutrality are to be met.
The Sunnybank development on Edinburgh’s London Road recently used a modular scheme whereby the homes were constructed offsite before being transported to their final location in the city centre.
Jo McLaren, head of residential development sales in Edinburgh said, “Sunnybank is right in the heart of the city and comprises a modular building with 35 apartments spread across five floors. The architecture is the first of its kind in Edinburgh, with each apartment being designed and constructed by a modular system and built quickly, efficiently and to a very high standard of construction outside the city. It has really captured the attention and imagination of buyers looking for affordable, high quality homes in the city centre.”
