Morro Partnerships has seen the first timber frame structures being assembled at its £26m affordable housing development at Projects Drive in Rugby.
This six-acre brownfield regeneration project is being delivered in partnership with housing association Orbit, with support from Homes England and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
With a focus on modern methods of construction (MMC) the development is utilising the more sustainable and efficient timber frame method, with the structures manufactured at Morro’s dedicated Innovation Hub.
Utilising the expertise and knowledge of the innovation team, the 9,000sqft Morro facility, which is located in Leicester, has been engineered for maximum efficiency, achieving 300 to 400 units per year.
Projects Drive includes 108 new homes – 72 of them for social rent and 36 for shared ownership. The mix of properties includes one- and two-bedroom apartments, one-bed maisonettes, and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. The scheme is expected to play a key role in the regeneration of a nearby housing estate in Hollowell Way, Brownsover, which has been proposed for redevelopment by Orbit.
The first handovers of new homes at Projects Drive are expected at the end of this year, with the final handovers taking place in late 2027.
Simon Preston, managing director at Morro Partnerships, said: “The start of timber frame assembly is an exciting milestone for the Projects Drive development and a visible sign of the progress being made on site. Through our use of MMC, we’re able to build homes more efficiently while also reducing carbon.
“Timber frame construction allows us to reduce waste, improve build quality, speed up delivery and create homes with excellent thermal performance. For future residents, this supports lower energy bills and a more sustainable place to live. We are proud to be working alongside Orbit to bring these much-needed affordable homes to Rugby.”
Phil Andrew, group chief executive at Orbit, said: “We’re delighted to see the first timber frames laid down at Projects Drive, marking a key moment as we work together with Morro Partnerships and the West Midlands Combined Authority to build more much-needed, quality affordable housing in Rugby. Projects Drive represents not only our investment towards the delivery of a mix of new affordable homes locally, but also our wider commitment to playing our part in regenerating our nearby estate surrounding Hollowell Way.”
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has invested £2.5m into the scheme, said: “By focusing on a high number of one-bedroom homes, we are directly addressing local housing demand while simultaneously creating the vital space required to rehouse and support existing residents from the nearby Brownsover estate during its proposed regeneration.”
John Slinger, MP for Rugby, said: “I hope that this innovative method of manufacturing can be used more and more to bring real solutions to the housing needs of Rugby residents.”
