The First timber frame structures have been assembled at the £26 million affordable housing development at Projects Drive in Rugby, from purpose-led developer Morro Partnerships.
The 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), and will include 108 new homes – 72 for social rent and 36 for shared ownership. This will comprise a mix of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, 1-bed maisonettes, and 2, 3 and 4-bedroom houses.
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 9000-square-foot Morro facility located in Leicester has been engineered for maximum efficiency, achieving 300 to 400 units per year.
Projects Drive is also 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.
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.”
Timber frame house construction accounts for around 23% of new home builds in the UK. In the drive to meet the UK’s housing demand, it is also a much faster construction method. Once frames are watertight, follow on trades can be working inside the homes without the requirement for brickwork facades to be completed. This method not only accelerates construction but also increases build quality for continuing trades.
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.
“We’re also proud to be delivering almost a third of the new homes at Projects Drive as new one-bedroom homes for social rent, to meet local need for quality new social housing that supports smaller households. 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 £2.5 million into the scheme, said: “Projects Drive is an important development, not only for creating much-needed homes but also providing a supportive, seamless transition for our community. 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 welcome the news that by the end of this year we will have new residents in Projects Drive, in homes that will be sustainable, lower heating cost and delivered at speed that will allow people on housing waiting lists access to a real home. 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. The government’s commitment to social housing remains undimmed and I will work with the new Secretary of State, the council and the WMCA to make sure that we build more social homes.”
Projects Drive marks a significant commitment between Morro and Orbit, combining Morro’s development, social value and construction expertise with Orbit’s long-term experience as a leading provider of affordable housing across the Midlands.
The first handovers of new homes at Projects Drive are expected at the end of the year, with the final handovers taking place in late 2027.
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