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.”
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.
“Additionally, there is some confusion about Category 1 versus Category 2 production. We are committed to Category 2 production using two-dimensional panels made in factories and assembled onsite. Category 1 which manufactures 3D boxes and delivers them to site remains more challenging.
“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.”
While Vistry has invested considerably in apprenticeships and in the company’s own custom-developed training modules, Scott also highlights the need for government financial investment in training programmes at colleges across the country to offer a high standard of construction skills and training for MMC.
He says: “The lack of training is being felt most keenly on site with the existing workforce often not familiar with or experienced in working on MMC projects. That said, there is also a lack of training courses available for in-factory MMC assembly.
“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.”