Modern methods of construction may prove unattractive to SME housebuilders due to the cost involved and firms’ desire to sell a unique product, the chairman of Stonebond Properties has told Housing Today.

And as well as the approximately 12% premium for building homes using MMC versus traditional methods, Richard Cherry, chairman of the Essex-based Stonebond, said planning authorities were resistant to the sort of standardisation which can results from offsite manufacturing.

Councils see MMC-built homes and immediately think of prefabs, he said.