<table> <tbody><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><i> Ian Randall, Linden’s south east md<br/><br/></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Linden Homes has begun trialling a range of modern methods of construction on a site in Woking, Surrey, where it is building four MMC units alongside traditionally built homes. <p></p><p>The firm is seeking to measure whether homes built off site in factory controlled conditions are more accurate and durable, and will be testing the structures at every stage of development. "Our primary concern is the cost of MMC, which is currently higher than that of regular building methods," said Ian Randall, md of Linden’s south east operation. </p><p>"We will be investigating this issue and experimenting with ways to reduce expense. </p><p>"If we are to deal with the shortage of housing in this country and meet government targets of 200,000 new homes in the south east by 2016, the housing industry must be forward think- ing in its approach to building. MMC has the potential to deliver new homes faster than traditional building methods, in a sustainable and energy efficient way." </p><p>Randall added: "People’s precon-ceptions regarding MMC will be the hardest barrier to break. ‘Prefabricated’ is a dirty word associated with poor quality post war housing – an outdated image which bears no …