A team of representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), including Councillor Cathy Bayton, Councillor Andrew Burrow, Councillor Vera Waters, Lyndsey Roberts and Rachel-Ann Atterbury joined the Sales & Partnership Manager at LoCaL Homes for a factory tour to learn more about its offsite manufacture capabilities.
The WMCA is a public body that works with local councils and other partners to make their region a better place to live.
Mike Doolan 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. LoCaL Homes is already manufacturing its Eco-200 timber frame panels for a number of developments, helping GSA, other housing associations and contractors across the country achieve the standard ahead of time.
Mike Doolan, our Sales & Partnership Manager said: “We have had a brilliant discussion with the team from West Midlands Combined Authority around our Eco 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 WMCA on-site to see the difference we are making in the sector first-hand.”
WMCA Statutory Scrutiny Officer Lyndsey Roberts said: “It was fantastic to see LoCaL Homes manufacturing operations. They are a wonderful example of the pioneering new approaches we want to see implemented across the West Midlands to produce the low carbon, energy efficient homes of the future.
“The WMCA has set a #WM2041 target for the West Midlands to become a net zero region within the next two decades and is introducing landmark innovations in transport mobility, zero-carbon buildings, the environment and affordable housing to help make that happen.
“A commitment to innovation in construction like that shown by LoCaL Homes will also help secure a more prosperous West Midlands by creating the high-tech, green industries of the future – generating thousands of secure jobs for local people in the process.
“Our goal is to establish the West Midlands as the centre of excellence for low carbon living and modular construction in the UK – putting it ahead of national policy and regulatory roll out.”
You can find out more about LoCaL Homes here.
