Two executives from L & G Homes outlined the development of their new automated factory at Sherburn in Elmet, that allows them to move into the mass housing market. Effectively the works will produce shell housing units from solid timber, fully finished and to a variety of bespoke sizes for delivery to sites with installation on prepared foundations. 

This supersedes the traditional timber frameworks, and allows significant time, energy and cost savings. The units can be clad with finishes to suit location and planning needs. They can be engineered to very fine tolerances eliminating much site input by finishing trades.  Panels can be varied in thicknesses to meet thermal, sound transmission and fire resistance constraints. The shell unit can include all interior fittings, kitchen, bathroom even painted and with carpets.

The units are to be marketed to local authorities, housing associations and major developers, with no minimum order necessary. L & G are also able to use its financial arm to facilitate mortgage lending of value to potential purchasers.

Links are also in place with local suppliers of raw materials and other resources, such as CLT (cross-laminated timber) Rigidor from British Gypsum. The factory is working already employing labour on a living wage basis and a 4-day 48 hour week. Around 400 are employed but this will rise during development in 2017. 

Ron Healey

Trustee