Government must embrace modern construction methods

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee says that the government’s over-reliance on traditional building methods will see it fall far short of its target to build 300,000 new homes a year by mid-2020s.

The committee’s new report urges the government to unlock the potential for modern methods of construction (MMC) to build homes quicker, more cheaply, while maintaining build quality. Modern methods of construction comprises a range of innovations including the use of new materials, digital working and precision manufacturing techniques in the house building process. Such processes can be used alongside traditional building methods and allow for greater use of off-site construction.

Use of MMC in housebuilding is low at the moment, with the committee warning that the government will need to act quickly if it is to make an impact in meeting house building targets. It also says that the government will need to improve data collection and sharing if it is to overcome reluctance to utilise MMC among lenders, insurers and home buyers.

Clive Betts, chair of the committee, said: “If the government is to have any chance of meeting its target of 300,000 new homes a year it cannot simply rely on traditional methods of construction. They must make a serious effort to support the use of new and emerging technologies that have the potential to have a transformative impact on the speed, cost and quality of home building. This is not simply about shifting production away from the building site and into factories. It is about seizing opportunities that modern technologies allow, whether it be precision manufacturing, use of new materials or digital working.

“The housing system is in urgent need of a major boost and if the government is to have any chance of meeting its ambitious target it must grasp every opportunity new technologies allow. But they must act fast and act now.”