Prescott has repeatedly stated that off-site techniques including modular systems and timber frames will speed up construction and, eventually, bring down costs (HT 30 May, page 7).
Barker said: "There are problems with getting the sites in the first place and getting [planning] permission through. In terms of speed and cost, off-site manufacture may not be much help. Compared with the time taken on planning negotiations, build time is actually quite short."
But, she added, prefabricated building could cut down defects in buildings when they are on site. She plans to visit countries where off site has caught on in a bid to make it more popular here.
Her review will be published in interim form in the November pre-Budget statement and in full in the spring. It looks at the reasons for housing shortage and will propose solutions.
She said the main reasons for under-supply were delays in the planning system, nimbyism and a shortage of skilled planners and construction workers.
"As far as politics is concerned locally, people do not want housing built and I am trying get across why housing matters to communities," she said.
"I have become quite evangelical about this. If people do not want to go forward, all the good policies in the world won't make a difference."
Her review ties in with two other projects announced in April's budget: Sir John Egan's review of skills in building and Imperial College professor David Miles' work on making long-term fixed rate mortgages popular. All are intended to reduce volatility in the housing market before the next decision on euro entry.
Barker is asking for views to feed into her project. This consultation closes on 4 August.
Source
Housing Today
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