Signing order for the first tranche of homes for the ‘Cluster Project
The ‘Cluster’ - An innovative partnership to deliver 996 modular homes across Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire was set up last year between Magna Housing, Wiltshire Council and Rollalong a Dorset based manufacturer. The procurement was carried out under the SWPA/ LHC Off Site Construction of New Homes Framework. The benefit of consolidating two clients’ requirements is to deliver increased value for money and an assured pipeline for the manufacturer. Extensive social value outputs and outcomes have been identified in addition to the new affordable homes for rent, shared ownership and purchase for people in Dorset Somerset and Wiltshire.
The next milestone has now been achieved by issuing the orders for the first 109 homes to go into production at Rollalong for delivery across 5 sites.
Magna will make 26 of the homes available for affordable rent or shared ownership in Dorset. They will include 14 at Webber’s Piece in Maiden Newton and 12 at the site of the former Royal Manor Arts College on Portland, adding to the 29 Rollalong has already manufactured for the 41-home development.
In Wiltshire, the council will create a further 83 new affordable homes across three sites within the county.
Rollalong uses precision engineering techniques to manufacture high-quality modern homes as modules in its factory near Wimborne Minster. These are then transported, fully fitted with kitchens, bathrooms and electrics, to the sites.
The homes are built to be ‘net zero in use’, in line with the Government’s proposed Future Homes Standard, which will require new homes built from 2025 to produce 75-80% less carbon. The all-electric homes will be heated by air-source heat pumps, with a thermally efficient fabric retaining warmth and helping residents keep their energy bills lower.
The homes can be tailored to the local, often rural setting, with a range of house types and finishes influenced by customer feedback. The partners also have the only modular approach in the UK accredited by the National Housing-Building Council (NHBC) able to ‘step and stagger’ terraces of houses so that they have more visual variety.
Mary Bennell, Director of SWPA, said:
“We have worked closely with Magna Housing and Wiltshire Council to provide the innovative procurement solutions required to meet their housing aspirations.
“We were especially proud to support the project by developing a detailed easy to use methodology for assessing the social value outputs at an individual project level for both clients.”
