New build programme

New housing stock being secured and built across the county

Following the success of the first New Build Programme, the council have embarked on a further new build housing programme to deliver 1000 new affordable homes over the next 10 years.

Work has commenced on a series of projects looking to meet the target. The homes will not only provide much needed affordable housing for those households on the housing register, but, will also look to pioneer energy efficient homes offering reduced fuel bills for residents.

With work progressing on five units at New Zealand Avenue and planning applications coming together for nineteen units through the MMC Pilot (detailed in another article), site investigations are also underway for sites in Devizes, Ludgershall, Mere and Corsham. For all new build opportunities, applicants will need to be registered on the Homes 4 Wiltshire housing register - for more information or to apply online follow this link: Homes4Wiltshire (opens new window).

During 2020-21 the Residential Development Team have purchased ten homes into the councils Housing Stock, this was largely made up of ex-local authority homes previously sold under the Right to Buy scheme. Three further homes are also now in conveyance, with further purchasing considerations underway.

In addition to the ten homes purchased, the Residential Development Team have recently taken handover of six new build houses at Styles Close, Porton. These houses consisted of four affordable rent properties and two shared ownership properties. All new homes will be occupied by the end of the Spring. The Residential Development Team are working with Redcliffe Homes to develop eighteen new build homes in Upavon and a further twenty-eight homes in Chippenham. Each development will be a mix of affordable rented and shared ownership tenure. Contract discussions are underway, whilst the homes are already under construction, the initial handover of these homes is to take place during the winter of 2021.

If you would like any further information on the purchase of homes, or the developments at Upavon and Chippenham, please contact Andrew M Mead - Residential Development Project Manager (AndrewM.Mead@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)).

A new generation of homes, manufactured offsite

Wiltshire Council is trialling a new way of building affordable homes with an initial nineteen units being built across three sites this year. Modern methods of construction, or MMC, is quicker, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than traditional construction techniques.

MMC means that buildings are designed and manufactured offsite, in factory-controlled conditions. The modules are then loaded onto lorries, transported to the site and assembled in place. Typically, a two bedroomed house is constructed from four modules.

So what are the advantages of manufacturing homes offsite?

Quality guaranteed

Unlike houses built outdoors, in all weather conditions, with a variety of subcontractors, MMC buildings are precision engineered in tightly controlled factory conditions. Eighty per cent of the build is carried out under factory conditions so quality is consistent, and defects minimised and building maintenance costs reduced.

Saves energy

Because precision engineered MMC buildings are more airtight, the homes will have higher energy efficiency ratings and, with the addition of new heat pump technology, heat recycling and solar energy capture, will be virtually carbon free in operation; reducing outgoings on heating for residents. In addition, less waste during manufacture means fewer materials used, reducing the energy needed to build the homes.

Saves time

Building homes using MMC is up to 50% faster than building from the ground up using bricks and mortar. Delays caused by bad weather or the unavailability of materials are reduced and less labour is required on site. Offsite manufacturing can deliver homes up to twice as fast as traditional construction methods; delivering affordable housing to people in need more quickly.