Homes England visit LoCaL Homes

Published on 26 September 2022

A team of 14 Homes England representatives, including Sharon Kenny – Assistant Director, Provider Management, joined Chris Hagan – Director of LoCaL Homes and Mark Patchitt – Director of Development at GreenSquareAccord for a presentation and factory tour to learn more about LoCaL Homes and its low-carbon timber frame panels.

Chris Hagan chaired a discussion with the group around the future of closed panel timber frames and the opportunities and barriers in housebuilding using modern methods of construction (MMC).

The visit comes ahead of the introduction of the Future Homes Standard – a set of rules which will ensure that new homes built from 2025 produce 75-80% less carbon emissions. Developers who build new homes in adherence with the Future Homes Standard can apply for Homes England funding. LoCaL Homes is already manufacturing its Eco range of timber frame panels for a number of developments, helping GreenSquareAccord and other housing associations and contractors across the country achieve the standard ahead of time.

Chris Hagan, Director of LoCaL Homes said: “We have had a brilliant discussion with the Homes England team around our timber frame products and how we strive to deliver more low carbon, cost effective, sustainable housing solutions in England.

“We have many projects now in progress supporting the Future Homes Standard and the drive towards net zero – it’s great to have Homes England on-site to see the difference we are making in the sector first-hand.”

Left to Right: Mark Patchitt (GreenSquareAccord), Sharon Kenny (Homes England), Chris Hagan (LoCaL Homes).

Sharon Kenny, Assistant Director, Provider Management at Homes England said: “I’d like to thank Chris and Mark for taking the time to show me and my colleagues around the LoCaL Homes factory today.

“It’s really impressive to hear and see first-hand how LoCaL Homes are helping contractors and housing associations support our ambition to build more homes through off site manufacturing..”

Mark Patchitt, Director of Development at GreenSquareAccord, adds: “We were delighted to welcome the Homes England team to the LoCaL Homes factory this week.

“The housing sector has a real focus on low carbon housing. We are proud to be leading the way with LoCaL Homes, delivering much-needed housing at GSA with a reduced impact on our environment.”