Housing association Magna, Wiltshire Council and Dorset-based manufacturer Rollalong joined forces in 2022 to tackle the housing crisis using modular building methods pledging to build nearly 1,000 new affordable homes by 2026.
Magna and Wiltshire have now taken another step towards that goal by placing orders for Rollalong to manufacture 109 new, modular homes for five sites across two counties. The partners have used their joint purchasing power to get better value under a money-saving framework created by the South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA). In Wiltshire, the council will create a further 83 new affordable homes across three sites within the county.
Rollalong uses precision engineering techniques to manufacture high-quality modern homes as modules in its factory near Wimborne Minster. These are then transported, fully fitted with kitchens, bathrooms and electrics, to sites where they will become attractive, energy efficient homes.
The partners' latest range of modular house types are built to be 'net zero in use', in line with the Government's proposed Future Homes Standard, which will require new homes built from 2025 to produce 75-80% less carbon. The all-electric homes will be heated by air-source heat pumps, with a thermally efficient fabric retaining warmth and helping residents keep their energy bills lower.
The homes can be tailored to the local, often rural setting, with a range of house types and finishes influenced by customer feedback. The partners also have the only modular approach in the UK accredited by NHBC able to 'step and stagger' terraces of houses so that they have more visual variety. Magna and Rollalong have already completed 32 new modular homes across sites in Sherborne, Chickerell and Dorchester.
Paul Read, Magna's Director of Sustainability and Investment, said: "These are among the most important new homes Magna has delivered, with our ambition to build the right homes of the right quality in the right places. By collaborating with others and modernising how we build, we are creating homes for local people that will help address the cost of living, energy challenges and contribute towards the UK's net zero targets.
"Thanks to Government retrofit funding, we also have the opportunity to decarbonise our existing homes, including those neighbouring the new, modular houses at Webbers Piece. These older homes will benefit from external wall insulation, new windows and doors, and air-source heat pumps. The timing means we can look at creating a real sense of place in this rural community."
Steve Chivers, Managing Director of Rollalong, said: "Manufacturing homes offsite in modules is the future for our industry, and our unique partnership provides the volumes we need to make these modern methods of construction work. These are the homes of the future designed for living today, and we're pleased to have the opportunity to promote the benefits of modular housing as a response to a nationwide housing crisis."
Also, as the modular construction sector goes through turbulent times, Steve Chivers says Rollalong is bucking the trend of some recent highprofile failures in the modular offsite construction sector. "Thanks to our many years of experience, our diverse product range and our long-standing partnerships, Rollalong is not facing the same challenges that others are experiencing in the industry," he said.
"We have a strong pipeline of work, such as the homes recently ordered by partners Magna Housing and Wilshire Council. With these houses now being produced in the factory, our business is continuing as normal. Working together, we can deliver the volumes that we require using a market tested, BOPAS and NHBC Accepts accredited portfolio of standard house types in any step and stagger configuration and roll out through a regional delivery model.
"These are exciting times as we roll out the delivery of almost 1,000 new net zero carbon ready and net zero carbon living modular homes across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset, using offsite manufactured, precision-engineered techniques to modernise and speed up the whole process."
For more information visit: www.rollalong.co.uk
Images: 01. L-R: Paul Read, Director of Sustainability and Investment, Magna; Andy Mead, Residential Development Manager, Wiltshire Council; Steve Chivers, Managing Director of Rollalong; Mary Bennell, Director of SWPA 02. Modular manufacture can provide zero carbon, energy efficient homes
