The Re:allies new build housing framework will be used by Procure Plus, Efficiency North and Central Housing Investment Consortium.

The framework, which offers options for innovative offsite manufacturing as well as new build, already has an estimated £836m demand pipeline over its four-year lifetime.

Eighteen social housing contractors have bagged places on the main new build lot covering projects bigger than £2m.

Specific lots for smaller housing developments in the North West and Yorkshire and Humber have also opened opportunities for smaller and medium-sized local firms.

Efficiency North Chief Lee Parkinson, who heads up the Re:allies procurement team, said: “We are delighted with the diverse range of small and large contractors that have been appointed to our new build framework.

“It provides an intelligent procurement solution for new build schemes with maximum flexibility via the range of contract options and scheme development processes.

“In addition the off-site manufacture lot facilitates an excellent way for landlords to develop schemes with off-site manufacturers which enjoy all of the benefits of efficiency, cost transparency and the maximisation of social value.”