Our divisional managing director of manufacturing and special projects Scott Stothard has spoken out in Property Week calling for more support for timber MMC which will be ‘absolutely critical’ to meeting Vistry’s aim of building 24,000 homes a year by 2028, a key to reducing the UK’s homelessness crisis. Scott Stothard, runs our Vistry Works manufacturing facilities, specialising in producing timber-frame panels for both our own brands and for delivery partners. He told Property Week: “We have the capacity to deliver more than 7000 homes per year from our three facilities using pre-manufactured 2D structural systems and we are committed to utilising timber-frame construction at scale. In our last financial year (2023) we increased production by 28% compared to the previous year." He added: "There is no doubt that MMC, if done right, will enable the delivery of high-quality new homes more economically and efficiently. But there is still much to do and government support, a cohesive planning system, extensive skills and training investment and the creation of industry standards that are flexible enough to adapt to different requirements and emerging innovations will play a key part in that.” While the benefits of timber-frame construction are well known and acknowledged across the industry, particularly its achievement in reducing carbon emissions with each home built using Vistry panels emitting 14,460kg less carbon dioxide than a traditional brick-and-block house, there are still complex issues to be tackled. Scott says: “Implementing the planning process at a local level is proving problematic. Some 75% of the homes delivered by Vistry factories in 2023 had non-standard configurations, making it difficult to build standard form houses across the UK on a consistent basis. Complex planning requirements and the lengthy timeframes involved as well as the disparity between different local authorities contribute to the inconsistent demand for modern method of construction (MMC) homes built. “Having government support for a planning system that can provide some certainty over future demand would help to alleviate the concern the industry feels about the development pipeline and the associated risks and costs.” Read full article here: 👇🏻 https://bit.ly/3QIZTcm #MMC #TimberFrame #MakingVistry #Sustainability
A very good article, Well done.
Stephen Teagle
6mo
Inspiring!
Nick Whittaker
6mo
Bang on the money Scott Stothard 👌🏽
Stewart Quinn
6mo
Great article Scott 👏
Great article Scott Stothard 👏
Experienced Residential Housing Developer, Design Manager and Head of Technical
6moIf this is your view of the national planning system with regards to panelised construction, it's not surprising that the local planners also saw off all your big competitors from the volumetric modular industry. I believe MMC is the way forward to support our UK housing delivery and provide a highly sustainable, high-quality product at the speed and scale the country needs. However, we need a government and Housing Minister who understands this and can provide guidance to local authorities and planning teams to support Vistry and other developers like you…. And breathe… and get down off the soapbox.