Housing: Construction Methods

(asked on 2nd May 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that their call to the construction industry to build well-designed homes will also include plans to use the latest methods of construction which maximise energy efficiency and energy saving.


This question was answered on 17th May 2018

The Housing White Paper sets out Government’s ambition to raise the quality of new homes and places, give communities a stronger voice in the design of new housing to drive up the quality and character of new development, and create a housing market that works for everyone. Proposed reform of the National Planning Policy Framework includes strengthening of design requirements.

At a recent government design quality conference, the Housing Minister made it clear that quality of new homes is as important as quantity. We expect all housing developers to deliver good quality housing, to deliver it on time, and to treat house buyers fairly.

New technology has improved productivity, quality and choice in a range of sectors and we want to see the same happen in housing. Use of modern methods of construction has the potential for improved building performance and durability, including thermal properties and carbon reductions.

Our Housing White Paper talks about specific measures to stimulate the growth of modern methods of construction, including how we will help to create a pipeline of opportunities to give confidence to the sector and investors. For instance, our £3 billion Home Building Fund provides support to builders using modern methods of construction, in addition to custom builders and new entrants to the market. The Autumn Budget added a further £1.5 billion to the fund. Our working group is also looking at assurance, insurance and mortgages for modern methods of construction.

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