Homes of the future - visiting Saxon Reach, Milton Keynes
Last Thursday 13 February, we were delighted to welcome local community representatives to our site at Saxon Reach, Milton Keynes.
Visitors from Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes College, Bedford College and the National House Building Council joined us to learn more about the cutting-edge construction techniques we’re using on the site.
Once completed, Saxon Reach will be a vibrant new community on the outskirts of Milton Keynes – ideally located close enough for residents to enjoy the bustling town, but within walking distance of peaceful countryside.
Following a landmark deal between L&Q and Stewart Milne Timber Systems in 2019, all the homes at the development are being built using off-site manufactured timber frames.
This innovative building method means that the frames of the new homes are built in a factory before being transported to the site and erected.
These new ways of working enable us to ensure that our new homes are built to a consistently high standard, using precision engineered techniques in a controlled factory setting. The project team has been enabled to deliver the homes faster, helping to ensure Milton Keynes gets the new homes it needs.
The visitors were shown around the site, and given talks by team members, before seeing the final product with our two new show homes.
L&Q has an ambitious Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) strategy, which will see all our new build homes delivered using some form of MMC by 2025. By 2028, we aim to have delivered our first entirely off-site manufactured home on a site.
Ian Millard, Operations Director at L&Q said: “It was fantastic to welcome our guests to Saxon Reach to showcase our progress on the site. Over the coming years we’ll be seeking to work closely with the local colleges in Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire to promote careers in construction, and this was a great opportunity to discuss some of our work in the area.
“Saxon Reach is an exciting project, utilising innovative methods of construction that will deliver more efficient build programmes, and – most importantly – better quality homes for our residents.”
Caroline Indge, Apprenticeship Engagement Manager - MK College said: "The focus on quality and ensuring you are creating homes and communities rather than building houses was obvious. I got a clear sense of your commitment to the people creating the homes and how all are encouraged to feel part of the whole process regardless of their area of skill.”
Robert McGowan, Head of Construction - Bedford College, said: "The visit was an interesting insight into current, modern construction techniques. We are constantly looking for organisations to work with to improve the learning experiences and create opportunities for our students. Moving forward, it would be fantastic to work with L&Q with respect to work experience and apprenticeships."