Largest modular home site in the country takes shape as Homes England opens Northstowe office
The Government’s housing agency officially opens its office on the new town site, built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
- Housing Minister Esther McVey MP has cut the ribbon on Homes England’s new South East office in Northstowe
- The new office in Cambridgeshire has been built using the latest innovative building technology
The government’s housing agency has relocated its Cambridge office to the site as part of its commitment to the town, which will provide 10,000 homes when completed to help many aspiring families reach their dream of home ownership.
The new office is built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This includes where buildings are put together off site, with the aim of producing better quality, more energy efficient homes in less time than traditional building methods. The neighbourhood has plans for 400 MMC homes, making it one of the largest MMC sites in the country.
Homes England’s purpose-built office, designed by architects Proctor and Matthews, will help employees experience first-hand the benefits of MMC and transform a traditional fenland village through innovative methods of construction.
The official opening of the new office comes after South Cambridgeshire District Council has announced 81 affordable homes for rent. The council will work with developer Urban Splash to deliver the project, including 60 homes specially designed for residents over 55. It’s expected work on the new homes will begin in late Spring 2020.
Minister for Housing Rt Hon Esther McVey MP, said:
“More builders are starting to use the latest technology and techniques to deliver fantastic places for people to live. Homes England has been supporting this revolution in construction since the start, so it’s great to see them leading by example as they open their new office at this modular site in Northstowe.
“Our £4.5bn Home Building Fund provides support to small and medium sized builders, custom builders, and innovators and we will continue to champion developers to use the best and fastest ways of building new homes.”
Nick Walkley, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:
“This new office – built using modern methods of construction – emphasises our ambition for Northstowe to be an outstanding place with quality design at its heart.
“By locating Homes England staff on site, we demonstrate our commitment to working closely with partners and the community. It’s a fantastic place to work in an exceptional location.”
Stephen Proctor, Founding Director of Proctor & Matthews, commented:
“The new office space demonstrates how modern methods of construction can be harnessed to respond to local context and culture; here creating a flexible 21st century work environment for an edge of Fenland location.”
ENDS
For more information contact the Homes England press office at media@homesengland.gov.uk or call 0207 874 8262