These eco-homes are built to exacting standards in a precision engineering factory before being craned into position onsite. This is a true ‘Modern Method of Construction’ (MMC) system, which is being increasingly promoted by Central Government and Homes England as the solution to slow pace of current build out rates.

We halved the amount of concrete (a huge generator of CO2) used in the foundations compared to a typical new house and incorporated carbon neutral geo-cellular storage for the attenuation features which formed part of the surface water drainage design. Which in turn further supported the developments energy efficiency targets and our brand ethos. This is a true ‘modern method of construction’ (MMC) system – where the advantages of MMC have allowed us to realise multiple other advantages across the scheme.

We developed an adequate SuDS scheme which not only complied with the requirements set out by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) in terms of surface water treatment, but also met our own requests to deliver an engineered solution which minimised embodied carbon. The team specified an innovative eco-friendly geo-cellular storage system which is made entirely from a soy-based resin and recycled aggregate, making this a truly carbon-neutral alternative to traditional attenuation features.

The project was part-financed by a £700,000 loan from Homes England, through the Home Building Fund. This was a highly significant investment by Homes England, because it was the first time it had put money into an ‘eco-MMC’ scheme by a small developer. Challenging many of the assumptions and principles of the agency’s investment process, resulted in a number of key elements being re-written to allow investment in MMC. Furthermore, the site is former NHS land – the purchase returned £250,000 to Nottinghamshire’s Mental Health Trust, to reinvest in vital services.