Witham MP Dame Priti Patel visited Bellway’s Francis Gardens development in Silver End to see new homes being built using sustainable modern methods of construction.
All 94 homes at the site are being made with a timber frame structure, which offers greater energy efficiency, quicker build times and a lower carbon footprint than traditional construction methods.
Bellway is expanding its use of timber frames and the homes at Francis Gardens represent the first such properties to be delivered by the company’s Essex division as part of the wider roll-out.
After meeting members of the Bellway team in the site office to hear about the benefits of timber frame construction, the MP was shown across to a viewing area on site from where she was able to see mobile cranes lifting timber frame sections onto plots currently under construction.
Paul Feeney, Construction Director at Bellway Essex, said:
“I’d like to thank Dame Priti for visiting Francis Gardens to see first-hand how Bellway is pushing forward with more sustainable methods of building homes in her constituency.
“We are committed to much greater use of timber frames as part of our wider sustainability strategy. The trees we use absorb carbon throughout the time they are growing, which offsets the amount of carbon needed to process the timber. All the wood is responsibly sourced, which means that for every tree felled, another is planted.
“Timber frame homes require less energy to produce and less energy to heat due to their exceptional thermal efficiency. They also speed up the build process, allowing homes to be watertight almost 40 percent quicker, meaning that high-quality, energy-efficient properties can be delivered at greater pace to meet demand.
“Thanks to the use of timber frame and the inclusion of solar PV panels, the homes at Francis Gardens will achieve a 19 per cent improvement in energy performance over the requirements of the 2013 Building Regulations.”
Dame Priti highlighted several key priorities during her visit, including how new developments must be sympathetic to the local communities they are built in, and provide funding for new infrastructure and public services, as is the case at Francis Gardens. She also emphasised the need to make home ownership more affordable and supported the Conservatives’ plan to scrap stamp duty to help first-time buyers and local families get on the property ladder. Almost 40 per cent of the homes at Francis Gardens are designated as affordable housing for rent or shared ownership.
She said:
“During my visit to the new Francis Gardens development, I discussed these priorities with Bellway, as well as seeing how the modern, sustainable timber-frame homes are being delivered, helping to improve energy efficiency while supporting local construction jobs.”
Bellway is increasing its use of timber frames having opened a new timber framework factory, called Bellway Home Space, in Nottinghamshire which began supplying sites in January 2026.
The company aims to increase its timber frame property construction to around 30 per cent of new homes by 2030, to drive long-term volume growth and help meet the targets set out in its Better with Bellway sustainability strategy, which includes achieving net zero by 2045.
The timber frame homes at Francis Gardens will comprise 57 properties for private sale and 37 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership, ranging from one to four-bedroom properties. Located off Boars Tye Road at the northern edge of the village, the development will include public open space, a play area and allotments. As part of the planning agreement for the development, Bellway has committed to investing more than £1.7 million in local services and infrastructure.
Francis Gardens has been named after the industrialist Francis Henry Crittal, who developed the village of Silver End to provide housing for employees of the Crittall window factory.
A selection of three-bedroom homes are currently available to reserve at Francis Gardens, with prices starting at £459,995. The first properties are due to be completed and ready for occupation this summer.
To find out more, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/francis-gardens or call the sales team on 01376 748617.