What Is Meanwhile Use? And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

What is Meanwhile Use, anyway?

Walk around any British city and you’ll spot them – empty sites sitting idle, waiting for “something” to happen. Planning permission might be sorted, development plans are “in progress,” but for now? Nothing. Just wasted space.

That’s where Meanwhile Use comes in. Why let valuable land sit empty when it could actually be doing something useful? Meanwhile Use is about putting these dormant spaces to work temporarily while everyone figures out the long-term plan.

This could mean pop-up community projects, temporary shops, or crucially – housing. The beauty of it is the flexibility. A site can serve people today without messing up what’s planned for tomorrow. When developers, councils, and housing providers embrace Meanwhile Use, everyone wins: land gets activated, communities benefit, and we start chipping away at the housing crisis.

Modular homes that move with communities

Built in our Dorset factory, these precision-engineered homes are ready to install on site with modern interiors and energy-efficient designs. Each home is designed to be relocatable, a flexible housing solution that can move with the community as the 12 Estates regeneration programme continues.

Our Temporary Modular Home

At Rollalong, we’re committed to delivering homes that adapt to the needs of communities, supporting regeneration, sustainability and better living for everyone.

Our temporary modular housing solutions provide rapid, high-quality accommodation where it’s needed most. Manufactured off-site in a controlled environment, each home meets the same robust standards as permanent housing while offering flexibility, speed, and exceptional build quality.

Because our modules can be reused and relocated, they provide long-term value for local authorities and housing partners, reducing waste, cutting carbon, and ensuring that every investment continues to deliver impact well beyond its first use.

By combining precision manufacturing, thoughtful design, and social purpose, Rollalong is helping to create the next generation of adaptable, sustainable housing across the UK.