Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick: Black Country firms' helping homes revolution
A government minister has visited a 'trail blazing' Black Country housing company for a tour of their factory.
Wolverhampton-born Housing Secretary, MP Robert Jenrick, visited LoCal Homes' factory in Aldridge, Walsall, on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old got a first-hand glimpse of the factory that builds low-carbon homes, and saw how modern methods of construction allow for manufacturing of housing properties to take place off site, and then assembling them into homes, making more energy efficient homes.
It means that homes can be built on-site up to four-times faster.
It comes as Mr Jenrick's first visit to the Midlands such becoming the government's Midlands Engine Champion - leading plans to revamp the region.
LoCal Homes’ 56,000-square foot factory opened in October 2018 and will build 1,000 homes a year and support 70 jobs, including 18 apprenticeships.
Mr Jenrick said: “I was delighted to visit the West Midlands, where I’m from, which is blazing a trail for the modern methods of construction that are transforming how quickly and affordably homes are built.
“As we strive to make the dream of home ownership a reality, it’s vital we build in a way that serves the needs of local communities, and the factory I’ve seen today is doing just that – delivering well-designed homes and high-quality jobs for local people.”
Dr Chris Handy, Chief Executive at Accord, added: “It was great to welcome Mr. Jenrick to our new LoCal Homes factory, where we have invested vastly in increasing our production capability as we are strongly committed to build new homes using modern methods of construction.”
