2 minute read - 28th June 2023
Green light for Persimmon’s new timber frame factory
Persimmon has secured planning approval for the creation of a 493,000 sq ft timber frame factory – believed to be the biggest in the UK – on the edge of Loughborough. Space4 – a sister brand of Persimmon Homes – produces timber frames, highly insulated wall panels and roof cassettes as a ‘fabric first’ solution to the construction of new homes.
Following approval from Charnwood Borough Council on 22nd June 2023, the state-of-the-art facility will bring up to 120 new jobs to Loughborough and the surrounding areas, whilst also utilising the latest automation technology as part of the manufacturing process.
The factory will produce timber frame units for up to 7,000 homes a year and is set to be in full operation towards the end of 2025. Utilising timber over other materials enables the homes to be more environmentally friendly; all the timber used is from sustainable forestry sources.
Persimmon has secured planning approval for a new timber frame factory, believed to be the biggest in the UK once operational / Picture: Persimmon
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The factory-assembled nature of the product will also help to improve the speed and consistency in quality of the homes built, with timber frame homes being around 20% more efficient to build than other methods.
Gareth Wicks, managing director designate at Space4, said: “We’re delighted to have received approval for our new Space4 facility and I want to thank Charnwood Borough Council for their support. Not only will the development deliver up to 120 new jobs, it will also further our goal to place sustainable practices at the very heart of our developments. We’re committed to creating vibrant, successful communities with the environment in mind. We’ll continue to work in partnership with the Council and other stakeholders to ensure our new Space4 factory delivers real benefits for local industry and the wider Loughborough community.”
The new Loughborough factory will create up to 120 new jobs to deliver timber frames for around 7,000 homes a year / Picture: Persimmon
The new Space4 facility will be placed on the Garendon Park Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE), a community of over 3,000 homes on the Garendon Park estate where Persimmon Homes North Midlands is master developer. Across the whole of the SUE, a cumulative figure of over £43m will be paid to support local infrastructure delivery and ensure economic development.
Dan Endersby, managing director of Persimmon Homes North Midlands, added: “Approval for the new Space4 facility at our Garendon Park development comes at a particularly exciting time as we welcome our first residents and continue to build our presence in Loughborough. Garendon Park will be one of Persimmon’s flagship communities, with over 3,000 homes, employment and leisure facilities, and a range of preserved historic monuments around the site.”