INCREASING capacity at the Harbour is key to government plans for more prefabricated homes in the Island, according to a recent report.
Housing Minister David Warr yesterday [Wed]published a report on the potential of so-called MMC – or modern methods of construction – to speed up delivery of new housing.
But the report noted that with 98.6% of all goods already entering Jersey by sea, the limited capacity of the Harbour was one of the challenges to be overcome.
‘The planned regeneration of the St Helier harbours presents a key opportunity to ensure that adequate ports capacity exists to accommodate greater levels of construction material importation,’ it stated.
Ports of Jersey recently announced a ‘once-in-a-generation’ programme of works to transform the harbours in St Helier, which include redeveloping the Elizabeth Harbour to improve freight-handling capacity.
Deputy Warr’s report – which forms part of the Chief Minister’s 100-day plan – contains a series of ministerial commitments to support innovation within the construction sector. It says ministers will:
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Work with Ports of Jersey to improve harbour capacity for MMC building supplies.
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Create a hub with representatives from the development industry to share ideas.
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Identify skills and labour gaps and discuss regulatory challenges.
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Strengthen the presence of States-owned entities to lead and support the testing of construction methods new to the Island.
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Provide advice in relation to logistical and regulatory challenges.
Chief Minister Kristina Moore recently confirmed that the St Saviour’s Hospital site had been earmarked for a mixed development of prefabricated homes to help tackle the Island’s housing crisis.
Pledging that the government would work with the construction sector to help in the wider use of MMC in local developments – some elements have already been used in the Island by the Jersey Development Company and by Andium Homes – Deputy Warr said that off-site production methods would help the industry build faster, avoiding delays which can be caused by bad weather and labour shortages.
‘[It] is already embracing new technology and there is an opportunity for Jersey to be right at the forefront of construction innovation, to help us provide the housing we desperately need. This is about efficiency, working collaboratively, and delivering well-designed and good-quality homes at a greater pace,’ he said.
However, the minister’s report also noted that there were design challenges specific to the Island when it comes to prefabricated homes.
‘Some suppliers provide their modules with façades which will not have the flexibility to provide the quality or local architectural vernacular that would be expected in Jersey,’ the report says.
It continues: ‘To provide the best design choice for Jersey it is important that the modular companies are able to respond to local design requirements, and for the product to be adaptable, such as being delivered as part of a hybrid scheme which may include traditional forms of construction.’
