Stewart Milne Timber Systems has been appointed as one of the approved contractors for the New Homes Framework for England, Wales, and Scotland, by public sector procurement specialist, LHC.

The framework was launched during Homes 2014 at Olympia London last month.

Social landlords looking to source offsite manufactured (OSM) housing will be able to use the new framework for the design, manufacture, supply and erection of offsite volumetric and panelised systems. The New Homes framework (NH1) offers both system types through two workstreams from a pre-selected experienced group of companies.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems was selected to provide Panelised Systems across the UK. The LHC New Homes framework starts from November 1st 2014 running to October 31st 2018.

Alex Goodfellow, group managing director of Stewart Milne Timber Systems, said the appointment would be good news for social landlords: “We are proud to have been appointed to this national framework which will help to provide quality new homes, while offering an efficient procurement route.

“Manufactured offsite our timber systems are tried and tested to the highest standards, offering a high performing product which is fast to build, cost effective with no capacity constraints. We look forward to developing this partnership and working with more affordable housing providers in the coming four years.”

LHC has been specialising in construction frameworks for social housing for nearly 50 years and now has over 130 users throughout the UK. Access to the framework is free of charge to all social landlords.

John Skivington, director of LHC, said Stewart Milne Timber Systems provided a robust bid which combined experience with an innovative product: “Stewart Milne Timber Systems, along with the other specialist companies on the NH1 framework were appointed after completing a rigorous tendering process.

“The availability of the LHC New Homes framework will save social landlords a lot of time and resource in evaluating the market. Social landlords can be confident that the framework is compliant, meeting the requirements of relevant EU and UK regulations.”

A third workstream for construction works for new homes, which will complement the supply of offsite systems, will be launched in the New Year.