The Community Housing Group build their own new homes through their in-house subsidiary contractor, Oakleaf Commercial Services.
They were keen to pilot an off-site manufactured solution and chose the Stewart Milne Timber Frame system, procured under a 15 year contract through Reallies partner, CHIC.
They chose a shared ownership scheme for ten two and three bedroom houses – known as Cooper Arms, Kidderminster. The build was completed in eight months, much quicker than their experience of more traditional brick and block solutions.
Overall development costs were reduced by 15%, as preliminary costs and development period investment were lower and sales and rental incomes were secured earlier.
Ian Hancock, Managing Director of Oakleaf commented: “This was our first off-site manufactured newbuild scheme. We delivered 10 shared ownership homes more quickly and efficiently. We have learned some important lessons that will further improve the efficiencies on future schemes – and we have already started our next scheme for another nine shared ownership houses. Using the Reallies new build solutions will help us to improve quality and reduce build time and cost”.
Mike Brogan, Procure Plus and Reallies Chief Executive said: “Our ambition is to support our customers, working with an established and tested supply chain, to increase housing supply with high quality, cost effective new homes.”
