Speaking at the ‘Offsite Outlooks’ conference at BRE's headquaretsr in Watford on 15 February, David Brown, the joint CEO of Pulse Modular Homes, said housebuilders have to modernise or die.
He outlined opportunities for imaginative brownfield housing schemes, such as the modular scheme to be built over a carpark in central Scunthorpe.
David spoke of his vision for speedy regeneration of urban centres using modular housing. He explained how, working in conjunction with North Lincolnshire Council, the car park development will provide 80 apartments while retaining the car parking spaces.
“The building companies that adopt off-site building methods will thrive – and those that don’t will be at a great disadvantage as their costs rise with more and more regulation and the difficulties of providing excellent quality, battling traffic, weather and labour shortages,” said David. “Of course, traditional building methods will continue, but modular construction is so much more productive and much easier to ensure a quality build.”
One of the key benefits of a modular building project he identified is that it can be completed in less than half the time of a project using traditional building methods. It also exceeds building regulations such as thermal insulation and has a low level of noise transfer because of the high-quality acoustic insulation that can be incorporated into each modular unit.
David stressed the need to work in partnership with local authorities and housing associations to take advantage of unusual sites that can deliver good quality housing at keen prices.
David Brown’s background as a lawyer specialising in planning law, particularly in relation to residential housing, has been key in turning opportunities into reality for Pulse Modular Homes.
The ‘Offsite Outlooks’ conference explored the build-to-rent sector, the challenges affecting the delivery of quality new homes, and the role of offsite construction in delivering build-to-rent homes and social housing. Local authorities, housing associations, developers and contractors attended the event.
Many speakers highlighted the benefits of offsite modular construction with the units being built in specialist factories where quality can be closely monitored and there is less temptation to cut corners. The other great benefit, particularly in built up urban areas, is that there is much less disruption at onsite.
Scunthorpe car park project
The Scunthorpe project, announced in May 2016, has been expanded from 48 to 80 apartments with a mix of one and two bedroom units.
This development is one of the cornerstones of a multi-million-pound scheme to help regenerate Scunthorpe town centre. It has received a grant of £290,000 from the government’s Homes & Communities Agency. To qualify for this, the project had to be local authority-owned, on brownfield land not already allocated for housing.
About Pulse Modular Homes
Pulse Modular Homes is a developer that specialises in delivering fast track, modular buildings of across the UK.
Working in partnership with councils and housing associations, Pulse provides a variety of modular housing schemes, including social and sheltered housing, student accommodation, private rental projects, workforce housing, sheltered housing and temporary accommodation.
Pulse was founded by Directors David Brown of MerryVale Developments and Mike Stockdale of Kube Accommodation Group.