Sources close to the government have revealed modular building could be top of the agenda to tackle the growing housing crisis
The government and the mayor of London are looking into plans to use off-site construction methods to tackle the shortage of homes.
According to a source close to the government, off-site construction is said to be at the top of the housing agenda.
If plans go ahead the government could enter joint ventures with developers or construction firms to build homes on public land sites.
Deputy mayor for housing James Murray said “one part of the answer” to the housing crisis was modular construction.
Modular housing could indeed help with the shortage of housing, contributing significantly to the 200,000 discounted starter homes pledged by the government in the Housing and Planning Bill.
Tom Bloxham, chairman of Urban Splash, said: “The big figure is this 200,000 starter homes, and it’s looking at all the ways it can do that.”
He added: “The problem is the pipeline and the land: where government can be most useful is by supplying land for modular developments – that would really encourage more people to invest in the supply of modular housing.”
A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We are getting Britain building again, with almost 900,000 homes delivered since the end of 2009.
“Innovative new ways of house building, such as modular and off-site construction methods, will help deliver our plan for the biggest house building programme since the 1970s.”
