The Maple Close scheme in Thornley, County Durham, has become the first UK development to be completed with the help of a wall-laying robot nicknamed Walter. Housing chiefs have called the project a “defining moment for the future of the construction industry”.
The government is aiming to build 1.5 million new homes in England over a five-year period, an average target of about 370,000 a year. JT Lifestyle Homes built Maple Close.
Robot takes the strain
Walter – formally known as WLTR, or wall-laying terra-based robot – is operated by experienced trades professionals who can monitor the build and deal with the more intricate aspects of the job. The robot works in all weathers and lays bricks with speed and precision.
Dr Jan Telensky, founder and CEO of JT Lifestyle Homes, said: “There is currently a severe shortage of bricklayers in the UK, along with a wider skills shortage across much of the construction industry. With ambitious housing targets we need to get to grips with new technology to help us meet the demand for new homes - and fast. We have been incredibly impressed with how Walter has helped us speed up build time. Using a robot which works in all weathers also meant we knew what the output would be, come rain or shine. Walter picks up and lays the bricks with precision, enhancing the overall build and literally taking the heavy lifting out of the job. It is operated by experienced trades professionals who can monitor the build and deal with the more intricate aspects of the job.”
Eco-friendly features
All homes at Maple Close come with rooftop solar panels and are built with specialist clay blocks that are lower in carbon than other materials and have enhanced thermal performance. The blocks also use less water, are lightweight and generate no mortar waste. Any damaged blocks can be crushed and reused as hardcore on site.
Housing crisis and political pledges
The UK remains in the grip of a housing crisis. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants to deliver “the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period”, but has not yet revealed detailed plans. During the 2025 Spending Review, Keir Starmer pledged £39bn to fund the construction of 300,000 new social and affordable houses over 10 years – around 30,000 a year – with most expected to be social housing built by not-for-profit housing associations using government grants.
Council house construction has collapsed across England since the 1980s, and much of the local authority housing stock has been sold off through the right-to-buy scheme introduced by the Thatcher government.
