Hemspan and the factory

Factory

At the heart of our proposals is a state-of-the-art HEMSPAN^® factory, purpose built to deliver the components for around 2,000 high-performance homes per year for delivery and construction across the region. Utilising the innovative BIOHAUS^®system – a Category 2 Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) building system, this major investment represents a transformative opportunity for Rochford. The facility is expected for create around 500 new jobs and offer numerous skills, career development and training opportunities for local residents. Championing sustainability, the factory will prioritise the use of locally sourced materials, including hemp grown in the region.

Climate-positive homes

The first showcase for the new HEMSPAN^®factory will be Rochford Park, a 130-hectare site located north of Rochford, featuring around 2,000 climate-positive homes. These homes go beyond achieving net-zero carbon emissions, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they emit, in addition to providing all the energy required in operation, creating warmer homes, lower energy bills and a lighter footprint on the planet..

Rochford Park is designed to set a benchmark for how housing can actively combat climate change. Each home will be built using the BIOHAUS^® building system, which incorporates sustainable and locally sourced hemp alongside timber as the primary building materials, offering outstanding strength, insulation and durability.

With over 20,000 known applications, hemp is one of nature’s most versatile and remarkable resources. Used in construction for centuries, it is now at the forefront of a new era in sustainable building—meeting the urgent demand for high-quality, low-impact materials with outstanding performance and longevity.

Our team is here to answer any questions you may have. Please do get in touch, using the contact details below, and sign up to receive future updates.

Our proposals

Factory

• A new HEMSPAN^® factory – a major manufacturing facility to produce the innovative BIOHAUS^® building system to manufacture components for 2,000 climate positive homes per year for delivery and construction across the region.
• Major investment in Rochford, providing quality jobs and economic development.
• Long term venture providing training and apprenticeship opportunities for future generations.

Rochford Park

• A new, sustainable development of 2,000 modern, high-quality, climate positive homes to the north east of Rochford.
• At least 40% of the homes are affordable, offered for rent or shared ownership,
• A low-density ‘forest living’ environment including planting 100,000 indigenous trees
• Significant biodiversity net gain and green infrastructure including 66ha of green space and planting, xx% of the site
• The site is in Flood Zone 1, which means it has the lowest risk of flooding,
• Climate positive status will be achieved using the BIOHAUS^®  building system and sustainable components provided by the on-site factory using locally grown materials.
• Sustainable homes incorporating numerous elements such as solar panels, air source heat source, wastewater recycling …………
• This project with deliver substantial economic and employment benefits for the region, while the community hub will offer a wide range of additional facilities designed to enrich the lives of the residents and wider community alike.  
• This development is designed for all generations; an inclusive, welcoming extension to the Ashford and Rochford communities, thoughtfully integrated to foster connection and harmony.
• We are committed to supporting safe, efficient travel with improvements to road capacity and traffic safety.
• A full range of infrastructure is planned, including schools, GP, community spaces, retail, leisure and sports facilities, ensuring everything a thriving community needs is right on the doorstep.

Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have. Please do get in touch, using the contact details below, and sign up to receive future updates.