Latest news with #ModernMethodsofConstruction
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Introduction of single-step approval system aims to boost Galway housing targets
The single-step approval will 'accelerate the delivery of homes' says Housing Minister, James Browne TD. The transition will ultimately eliminate the existing four-step process. 'In order to ensure transparency and accountability with the public, the Department will begin publishing the new-build social housing delivery achieved by all local authorities as set against their targets.' Between 2022 and 2024, Galway City achieved only 10% of its target of 748 own-build social houses. When accounting for all new-builds, including Local Authority, Approved Housing Bodies, and Part V homes, 467 out of 748 units were delivered, representing a 62% fulfilment rate. Galway County Cllr Mary Hoade said that these figures prove that the multi-stage process is causing a 'bottleneck', and the transition cannot be done without 'strong oversight' to ensure it is not 'compromised in the pursuit of speed.' These figures were shared shortly after a Galway County Council plenary meeting where Administrative Officer John Waters updated the council on affordable housing developments. He outlined a vision for future developments comprising approximately 20% social housing and 80% affordable homes Currently, the approval process combines a four-stage plan and a single-stage process, depending on whether a project exceeds €8 million in cost and delivers more than 25 units. Under the new system, this mixed approach will be replaced entirely by the single-stage approval model. To further expedite social housing delivery, the changes will include standardised design layouts and specifications incorporating Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This standardisation is intended to streamline planning and construction, enabling local authorities and approved housing bodies to deliver homes more quickly. 'Streamlining approvals into a single stage may reduce bureaucracy and allow for faster commencement of housing projects. If implemented effectively and accompanied by sufficient resources, this could accelerate the delivery of homes where they are urgently needed.' Said Cllr Hoade. These new arrangements are expected to take effect in Q3 of this year provided transitional measures proceed as planned. For residents, much of the process around social housing applications and submissions will remain unchanged. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications in person to Galway City Council to ensure accuracy. Funded by the Local Democracy reporting Scheme.
Extra.ie
02-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Housing Minister announces new measures to speeding up social homes
Developers who use the State's new standardised design templates for social homes will be granted planning permission 'an awful lot quicker', the Housing Minister has said. James Browne's comments came as he brought to Cabinet yesterday a suite of new measures aimed at speeding up the delivery of social homes. Among the plans approved by ministers is a proposal to condense the approval process for social housing projects from four stages to one. The measures will also mandate the use of specific design layouts for all new-build social housing projects being delivered by public bodies, to achieve 'value for money, and to promote greater use of Modern Methods of Construction' (MMC). Developers who use the State's new standardised design templates for social homes will be granted planning permission 'an awful lot quicker', the Housing Minister has said. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photo Mr Browne said yesterday that local authorities and approved housing bodies will be able to choose from a portfolio of 60 design templates, with the new arrangements to take effect from quarter three of this year. The Housing Minister said the designs are of 'very high quality' and will deliver 'uniformity' in the sector. 'Where delays come in [in social housebuilding] is where local authorities want a piece of vernacular, or want to change the number of windows, for example. That sounds fine except it leads to extraordinary delays, because then every window has to be measured by the Department of Housing. 'And I would be actually hoping that private builders would copy these designs as well, because they should be able to get through planning an awful lot quicker,' Mr Browne said. Pic: Getty Images The minister said that when the Government delivered large amounts of social housing in the past, there was a level of 'consistency' nationwide in terms of how the houses were designed. 'And that's really important for builders who want to tender for these projects, but also for MMC,' he said. MMC is a broad term that captures a diverse range of building processes and products. The term is generally used to describe construction which takes place in a factory setting as opposed to on-site. It includes the construction of full 3-D units or modules. According to Mr Browne, the widespread use of MMC will help speed up the delivery of housing and reduce the environmental impact of the residential construction sector. 'I believe that this can be a game changer in terms of that delivery from social housing,' he said.
Toronto Sun
28-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Valhalla Village uses latest in construction techniques
At Valhalla Village, Phase 1 involves the construction of 494 units, 40 per cent of which will be affordable housing. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. New approach will help twin-tower rental project to be built faster and more affordably This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Valhalla Village, an environmentally friendly, twin-tower rental property now being built at Bloor St. and The East Mall in Etobicoke, is not your traditional construction project. Led by private equity real estate investment firm Kingsett Capital and the architectural firm of BDP Quadrangle, the goal is to take modern building techniques to new heights through an approach first developed in the U.K. in the early 2000s called Modern Methods of Construction or MMC. MMC contains different categories that range from off-site pre-manufacturing, 3D structural systems or pre-manufactured elements, with the ultimate goal to build a structure not only quicker, but also reduce construction waste. According to a posting from Zurich Insurance, 'modular, factory-based production of component parts can result in a more consistent quality of construction. Proponents of MMC say this can reduce the risk of defects. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Off-site construction can also lead to more reliable timescales for construction projects, as factors such as adverse weather have less impact. The need for on-site labour is also considerably reduced.' In the case of Valhalla, Phase One involves the construction of 494 units, 40 per cent of which will be affordable housing, in a 11-storey structure known as Tower D that is being built using MMC methods and a 30-storey building known as Tower A being built using traditional concrete construction. Michelle Xuereb, innovation director with BDP, said the reason for that is the current 'sweet spot' for MMC currently is a building that is no higher than 14-storeys. 'One of the differences with modern methods of construction is that you want to start collaborating with your manufacturers very early on, so that you can get into the manufacturing queue,' she says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'You really want to have a certain percentage of the pieces fabricated before you start bringing them to site, so that you can you don't lose the flow.' A Kingsett-BDP fact sheet states that Tower D uses a modular precast system consisting of structural columns, beams, floors, and exterior cladding panels with preinstalled windows. With an occupation date of March 2026 scheduled to take place, Xuereb says the MMC initiative is going smoothly. 'You learn a lot when you use a system for the first time. It started out working out the logistics, the trucking, the fabricating, getting the pieces in place. Sometimes you have a little more precast than you have Windows. Sometimes have more windows than precast, but they were installing the windows into precast panels at the precast manufacturers facility.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Once we got the rhythm up and functioning, they (the installers) can put up a floor with structure and full-in closure in nine days and they think they'll eventually be able to speed up that cycle. But for now, that's where they are at.' Among the government organizations involved in Valhalla Village is the City of Toronto, which stated in a release issued last year that the 'new affordable rental homes at 300-304 The East Mall will remain affordable for a minimum of 40 years and be part of a larger mixed-income and mixed-use development. 'Affordable rents will be set at 100 per cent of the Average Market Rent as reported annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), providing much-needed affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income households.' NHL Sunshine Girls Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors
Irish Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
New plan revealed to modernise construction sector in Ireland
A NATIONAL plan has been launched in Ireland which is designed to modernise the construction industry. The Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan provides a framework to support the adoption of modern, innovative tools that can improve the sector among the firms that work within it. It was revealed at an event held at the National Construction Training Campus in Offaly's Mount Lucas where work to build a new National Demonstration Park has now begun. "I am delighted to publish this landmark Action Plan which will assist in the accelerated adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), a significant representation of my Department's and the Government's commitment to meeting national skills needs,' Ireland's Further Education Minister James Lawless said. Minister Jim Lawless addresses the event in Mount Lucas "In addition, the National Demonstration Park will be Ireland's flagship centre for MMC showcasing, learning, and innovation. 'It will build industry and public confidence, technical expertise, and a national ecosystem around MMC." The MMC Action Plan, which has been developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education in partnership with industry and education providers, sets out 58 targeted actions across eight themes to scale the adoption of MMC across Ireland. The Demonstration Park, which is co-funded by three government departments, will be operated by the Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). Work has begun to build the National Demonstration Park It is designed to 'showcase leading MMC techniques, provide immersive learning, and support the growth of a national innovation ecosystem', it was confirmed this week. 'The National Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas represents a pivotal moment for construction education and training in Ireland,' Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of LOETB, said. 'This isn't just about showcasing cutting-edge building techniques; it's about creating a living classroom where trainees and students, apprentices and professionals can experience, hands-on, the future of the industry.' He added: "The educational value of this park lies in its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing immersive learning opportunities that will equip our workforce with the vital skills needed to deliver on national housing and sustainability targets." The Demonstration Park will house live examples of MMC across a variety of MMC technologies. It will also serve as a research and training space for new entrants, upskilling professionals, and MMC innovators. The first units in the Demonstration Park are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with training and industry and public engagement activity scaling throughout 2026.
Irish Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland reveals new plan to modernise construction sector
A NATIONAL plan has been launched in Ireland which is designed to modernise the construction industry. The Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan provides a framework to support the adoption of modern, innovative tools that can improve the sector among the firms that work within it. It was revealed at an event held at the National Construction Training Campus in Offaly's Mount Lucas where work to build a new National Demonstration Park has now begun. "I am delighted to publish this landmark Action Plan which will assist in the accelerated adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), a significant representation of my Department's and the Government's commitment to meeting national skills needs,' Ireland's Further Education Minister James Lawless said. Minister Jim Lawless addresses the event in Mount Lucas "In addition, the National Demonstration Park will be Ireland's flagship centre for MMC showcasing, learning, and innovation. 'It will build industry and public confidence, technical expertise, and a national ecosystem around MMC." The MMC Action Plan, which has been developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education in partnership with industry and education providers, sets out 58 targeted actions across eight themes to scale the adoption of MMC across Ireland. The Demonstration Park, which is co-funded by three government departments, will be operated by the Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). Work has begun to build the National Demonstration Park It is designed to 'showcase leading MMC techniques, provide immersive learning, and support the growth of a national innovation ecosystem', it was confirmed this week. 'The National Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas represents a pivotal moment for construction education and training in Ireland,' Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of LOETB, said. 'This isn't just about showcasing cutting-edge building techniques; it's about creating a living classroom where trainees and students, apprentices and professionals can experience, hands-on, the future of the industry.' He added: "The educational value of this park lies in its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing immersive learning opportunities that will equip our workforce with the vital skills needed to deliver on national housing and sustainability targets." The Demonstration Park will house live examples of MMC across a variety of MMC technologies. It will also serve as a research and training space for new entrants, upskilling professionals, and MMC innovators. The first units in the Demonstration Park are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with training and industry and public engagement activity scaling throughout 2026.
