The first timber frame structures have been assembled at the £26m affordable housing development at Projects Drive in Rugby
The six-acre brownfield regeneration project is being delivered by Morro Partnerships with housing association Orbit, with support from Homes England and West Midlands Combined Authority and will include 108 new homes – 72 for social rent and 36 for shared ownership.
This will comprise a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, 1-bed maisonettes, and 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom houses.
Simon Preston, managing director at Morro Partnerships, stated: “The start of timber frame assembly is an exciting milestone for the Projects Drive development and a visible sign of the progress being made on site. Through our use of MMC, we can build homes more efficiently while also reducing carbon.
“Timber frame construction allows us to reduce waste, improve build quality, speed up delivery and create homes with excellent thermal performance. For future residents, this supports lower energy bills and a more sustainable place to live.”
The development is using the most sustainable method of timber frame installation
With a focus on modern methods of construction, the development is utilising the more sustainable and efficient timber frame method, with the structures manufactured at Morro’s dedicated Innovation Hub.
Drawing on the innovation team’s expertise, the 9000 ft2 Morro facility in Leicester has been engineered for maximum efficiency, producing 300 to 400 units per year.
Timber frame could be key to meeting UK housing demands
Timber frame house construction accounts for around 23% of new home builds in the UK. In the drive to meet the UK’s housing demand, it is also a much faster construction method.
Once frames are watertight, follow-on trades can work inside the homes without needing brickwork facades to be completed. This method not only speeds up construction but also improves build quality for follow-on trades.
Keeping the homes affordable for the community
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has invested £2.5m into the scheme, said: “Projects Drive is an important development, not only for creating much-needed homes but also providing a supportive, seamless transition for our community.
“By focusing on a high number of one-bedroom homes, we are directly addressing local housing demand while simultaneously creating the vital space required to rehouse and support existing residents from the nearby Brownsover estate during its proposed regeneration.”
The first handovers of new homes at Projects Drive are expected at the end of the year, with final handovers in late 2027.
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