22 Living in a factory built home More Homes Through Manufacture A Housing Forum Working Group Report Peter Webb Beechdale Estate Walsall “We were living nearby in private rented accommodation and paying an astronomical rent of £700 a month before moving here,” says Peter Webb, who now rents a brand new, three bedroom detached home in Walsall from Accord Group. “The fact it is a factory-built house was not a factor in our decision to come here as we didn’t know when we applied for a home. When we were offered a home and when we did find out it was a timber property, we were initially very worried – it was effectively a wooden shed,’ he says. Peter and his family had never previously lived in a home built using modern methods of construction and were concerned about how robust the property would be. However, he says: “When we saw the house we instantly took a liking to it. Once you go inside, you cannot tell they are wooden houses – you just can’t. The rooms are more than big enough and the finish is lovely. Our friends come round and say ‘it’s all wood’, but I say ‘come inside’ and people are really impressed.” Another aspect that has pleasantly surprised Peter is the difference in his energy bills compared to previous homes. “It is amazing how much lower they are.” Peter and his family used to spend around £360 a month on gas, water and electricity. Now they spend £80 a month, quarter of their previous energy expenditure. This is music to the ears of Alan Yates, Director of Regeneration at Accord Group: “It’s incredible really, the savings our residents can make and it is great for everyone – especially those on low incomes.” Key building details: Building type: Factory-built, ‘closed’ timber panels by Accord’s LoCal Homes factory Number of homes in scheme: 40 Client: Accord Group Development cost: Just under £1,000/ m2 for a Code for Sustainable Homes level four home, a 20 per cent saving on cost for a home built to Code for Sustainable Homes level three using traditional methods Date of completion: January 2015 Who lives here: Peter Webb, wife and two adult children Type of tenure: Affordable rent of £115 a week Lived there since: January 2015 Number of bedrooms: three Occupation: Motorway maintenance supervisor Mr Yates says Accord has been building homes from the LoCal Homes factory it owns in Walsall for four years and half its 300 new homes a year are supplied by the factory’s 20 locally based staff. The aim is to increase this to 200 a year and to boost production to 400 homes annually overall by working with new clients such as Rooftop Housing Group and Stafford and Rural Homes. He says Accord runs the factory – the first of its kind by a UK housing association – as it creates jobs in its communities and costs a fifth less than traditional building techniques for a better quality home. “To maintain, there is really no difference to a traditionally built home,” Mr Yates says. “We go for a fabric-first approach with loads of insulation to ensure energy bills are low and there is no need for lots of other expensive kit.” Accord Group has sold 70-80 LoCal Homes on the open market too, with plans to do more. “Overall we are loving our home,” says Mr Webb. “I work nights and so have to sleep during the day. Despite the fact some homes are still being built nearby, you can’t hear a thing. I give this home nine out of 10 and would definitely recommend it to anyone.” ” Peter’s energy bills are now £80 a month. He used to spend £360 a month.”
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