Timber home manufacturers are poised to take advantage of the government’s backing of modular construction to house key sector workers.

Their optimism comes after housing minister Lord Falconer said the construction of thousands of factory-made homes on public land would be implemented urgently nationwide to address the housing crisis facing workers such as nurses, teachers and police officers.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems, whose £11m Witney factory began operating this year, is just starting to be involved in several projects for key workers within the M25 corridor. The projected increase in affordable housing, was a main reason for establishing the Witney operation.

It hopes this type of building project will make up 30-40% of its output.

Graham Neld, commercial director of Stewart Milne in England and Wales, said the company would be ‘pro-active’. But he said the continuing use of the word ‘prefabrication’, with its negative connotations, would not help the cause.

&#8220The continuing use of the word ‘prefabrication’, with its negative connotations, will not help the timber frame cause ”

Graham Neld, commercial director of Stewart Milne England and Wales,

Meanwhile, Westbury plc has been contacted by several housing associations interested in its Space4 product and wants to increase its customer base towards the end of this year.

Robin Davies, group marketing director for Westbury, said: ‘It is something we are actively looking at now. One of the big questions is where is the capacity? Who is going to produce these homes?’

He added: ‘If the government wants to see more building in London and the south-east then it has to be financed.’