Major UK housebuilder Bellway has launched a new strategy to increase timber frame usage across its group.
Known as Bellway Home Space, the initiative has been launched as part of a long-term growth strategy, and will see the firm increasing the use of sustainably sourced timber frame construction.
As a method of offsite construction, the use of timber frame in housebuilding is of growing importance in the UK, and the Government is supporting the increased use of offsite technology as part of its plans to increase the supply of high-quality, sustainable new housing.
A spokesman for Bellway said they were looking forward to reaping the benefits of putting more emphasis on offsite timber construction.
They said: “We expect to generate a range of benefits from the use of timber frame in the years ahead and this has been corroborated from our onsite trials.
“These include faster build speed, reduced waste and improved construction quality, as off-site manufacturing can drive higher levels of quality control and consistency compared to traditional construction methods.
“In turn, these build efficiencies should support improvements in the Group’s asset turn, together with strengthening customer care scores.
Factory ambitions
To support its volume growth ambitions and carbon reduction goals, Bellway say it is targeting an increase in timber frame use to around 30 per cent of housing output by 2030, compared to 12 per cent currently.
The planned growth in timber frame output will be achieved primarily by investing in its own proprietary timber frame manufacturing facility, ‘Bellway Home Space’. Bellway has secured a 134,000 sq ft industrial unit for ‘Bellway Home Space’ under a long – term lease agreement.
In order to drive efficiencies and quality, the facility will operate using computer driven robotic machinery which will be supplied by a leading, well-established manufacturer.
‘Bellway Home Space’ will have the capability to manufacture open-panel systems, together with pre-insulated closed-panel systems, where both insulation and the inner sheath are assembled within the factory environment, further improving thermal efficiency and reducing on-site waste.
Bellway say it expects to produce its first homes from the facility in mid-2026, with a gradual increase to full capacity of up to 3,000 homes per annum by 2030.
