Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government, has visited a housing development in Bridgend that has used construction techniques which could substantially increase the speed of housing delivery.

Valleys to Coast and modular building specialist, Wernick Buildings are delivering eight new modular homes in Sarn and Tondu, after being awarded funding from Welsh Government, and supported by Bridgend Borough Council.

The homes are made up of individual modules which were manufactured at Wernick’s factory at Kenfig Industrial Estate before being combined on site to form a complete house. It took as little as three weeks to produce the modules, which arrived on site with appliances, heating and electrics pre-fitted. Once complete, brick cladding and trussed roofs will render the new homes indistinguishable from their traditionally constructed counterparts.

Compared to traditional construction methods, modular homes are delivered up to 50% faster, reducing costs, environmental impacts and disruption to local residents.

Funding for these homes was made available through Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme which is available to housing associations, councils and other organisations. The funding is helping to test the type of innovative homes Wales will build now and in the future. The project will contribute to the 20,000 affordable homes target set by Welsh Government.

Julie James, Minister for Housing and Regeneration said:

“Our £90m Innovative Housing Programme is a test bed for innovation in housing, and demonstrates our ambition to provide more, better quality homes for people while creating jobs and training opportunities in their communities too.”

Huw Irranca-Davies, Assembly Member for Ogmore said:

“We warmly welcome this quality investment in social housing by a local company, keeping the jobs and investment local, while building great homes for the future.”

Ben Wernick, Managing Director of Wernick’s Construction Division said,

“This project is a great demonstration of the benefits of offsite construction. Residents will be able to enjoy high quality, high performance homes, with the added benefit of a reduced construction programme.”