The publicly traded Daiwa House Group (Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd., with a turnover of around € 32 billion) signed a share purchase agreement with the current shareholders of Flexbuild Holding (Flexbuild) on December 18, 2020. Flexbuild is the holding company of Jan Snel Group (Jan Snel), which realises modular building solutions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. With this agreement, Flexbuild and Jan Snel will become part of Daiwa House Group and together are taking an important step in the ongoing rollout of industrialised building across Europe. Investing in new markets Jan Snel and Daiwa House are forerunners in industrialised and modular building. Daiwa House is already active in Asia, North America and Australia. Together with Jan Snel, Daiwa House will be capable of further expanding its modular building business within the European market. The growing housing shortage and a lack of professionals in the European market has resulted in increased demand for smarter housing solutions in the market. By combining global knowledge, manpower and solutions, Jan Snel can offer well-suited solutions for the European housing shortage. Strong growth ambitions Jan Snel is the market leader in the Netherlands in the field of industrialised and modular building. By producing housing under controlled conditions in their factory, Jan Snel is able to improve both the quality and speed of the construction process. The reusage of materials, in combination with less waste and fewer emissions, enables the shift towards a more circular economy. Jan Snel specialises in innovative, industrialised solutions for the residential, healthcare, office, educational and industrial sectors. The Dutch company (based in Montfoort) has been making international progress and is already active in Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. Harry van Zandwijk, CEO of Jan Snel, explains: “The signing of this agreement is a reflection of our growth ambition. Daiwa House will add further expertise in industrial building to Jan Snel’s existing knowledge. With this, we want to become the clear market leader in Europe. In comparison to traditional construction methods, our modular construction method is smarter, faster and more sustainable. By combining our solutions and expertise with the strength of Daiwa House, we are laying a strong foundation for the future.”

Kingston Council is working with Richmond Housing Partnership Group (RHP) to deliver three new residential development schemes that will bring 106 new affordable homes to the Royal Borough over the next two years. One of these is South Place, Surbiton, which will be made up of 49 new affordable homes, with a combination of London Affordable Rent, London Living Rent and Shared Ownership. This exciting project, which will include basement parking and a new landscaped area within a mile of Surbiton station, is due to complete in autumn 2021. This development is being funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Cllr Emily Davey, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Kingston Council, said:  “I was shown round this exciting new scheme. The layout is designed to promote a sense of community with a courtyard garden. The fact that it will be 100% affordable with London Affordable Rents, London Living Rents and Shared Ownership means it will serve the needs of all our community. “ RHP Group is a housing association based in South West London. They currently own or manage around 10,000 good quality, affordable homes to meet the needs of people who cannot otherwise afford to live locally across South West London. These include homes for social rent and Shared Ownership.  David Done, Chief Executive at the RHP Group said: “We’re delighted to be delivering this exciting development in Surbiton. A key part of our purpose is to deliver homes people can be proud of, for communities that need them most. Therefore, the fact that there will be a mixture of tenures within South Place is really important to us. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both Kingston Council and the GLA for all of their continued support with this special project.”

Building firm J.G. Hale Construction has officially handed over the keys to a £4.3 million innovative housing development on De Clare Drive (Cwrt Idris) in Radyr, Cardiff, to its partner on the project, Taff Housing Association. The innovative development, built by J.G. Hale Construction in partnership with Taff Housing Association, comprises of 36 units: 18 one-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom homes. Aspects of the development have been designed specifically to cater for the needs of individuals with physical disabilities, with four of the homes suitable for wheelchair users. As there is a shortage of affordable housing in South Wales, the Welsh government aims to deliver 20,000 affordable homes in its current term, which ends in 2021. As well as helping to address this problem, the development will create local jobs, as well as several apprenticeships. J.G. Hale Construction is a Wales-based firm recognised for its commitment to innovative, eco-friendly design, quality materials and finishes and sustainable building practices. The company is committed to using local sub-contractors and suppliers. Taff Housing Association is responsible for over 1,500 homes across Cardiff and provide specialist support services to people across four local authorities in South East Wales. As well as delivering reliable services and building and maintaining quality homes, Taff work with local communities to create great places to live. Helen White, Chief Executive of Taff Housing Association, said: “We are thrilled this development is now complete. It will make a much-needed contribution towards addressing the serious shortage of affordable housing in Cardiff”  John Taphouse, Interim Director of Property Services at Taff Housing said: “We are delighted to be able to provide these high-quality affordable homes in Radyr. Thanks to J.G. Hale Construction and others involved in delivering this project.” J.G. Hale Construction’s Contracts Manager, Tom Bevan, said: “We’re delighted to have completed this project working in collaboration with Taff Housing Association, to improve the lives of those needing housing support in our communities…. “As a company, we constantly strive to deliver projects that will successfully accommodate each specific individual, whilst also engaging and supporting the local community. By including aspects which explicitly address the needs of people with physical disabilities, as well as homes for people who need them in the Radyr area, we believe this scheme has certainly achieved those aims.”

MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has completed the purchase of the former industrial site on Lancots Lane in St Helens, with leading regeneration group, Torus. The land, which was previously used by a skip hire business, will create 63 brand new homes in the area, comprising of a mix of modern one- and two-bedroom apartments along with two-, three-, and four- bedroom homes. All the properties will be available for affordable rent and residents will also benefit from designated parking bays and landscaped communal open spaces on site. Alex Wood, Regional Managing Director at MCI Developments, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Torus to bring forward this residential scheme at Lancots Lane which is conveniently located within easy reach of St Helens town centre. “Our aim is to transform the vacant site into a thriving inclusive community, providing affordable housing to local families and breathe new life into this part of the town. We’re starting to put preparations in place to commence construction at the development which will take place this week.” Chris Bowen, Managing Director at Torus Developments, said: “This £8 million investment will open the door to new, modern and genuinely affordable homes in the area. But it also opens the door to so much more. In fact, our charitable arm, Torus Foundation, will ensure that every single tenant has access to tailored support, should they need it, to manage their home and improve their careeer prospects. In this way our investment is much longer term with a focus on health, happiness and wellbeing.” The first residents are expected to be able to move in from February 2022 and the development will take around 2 years to complete.