Andrew Carpenter, CEO of the Structural Timber Association (STA) believes offsite automation and carbon friendly timber could lead the way in helping Labour achieve its 1.5 million homes target.
A new Labour government has begun a new era of construction and housebuilding, with the Government committing to 1.5 million homes in the next five years, and in the two months since the General Election this has been the focus of much discussion. The commitment to 300,000 homes per year, is certainly ambitious, but with the right policies and the right systems, it is achievable.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves announced that it will reinstate mandatory housing targets for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and will open a consultation on a new approach to planning, to support this delivery. It’s a Government that focuses on change, and embracing change is what is needed, and not just by Government.
It is critical that housebuilders, architects and the wider industry look to modern methods of construction (MMC) and offsite timber manufacture to meet the growing housing need, in a sustainable manner. A fundamental change in how we build and deliver homes, how we meet carbon targets and upcoming Future Homes Standard is needed for housebuilding to see real growth.
There is capacity in the structural timber manufacturing sector to deliver 100,000 homes per annum, and the Structural Timber Association believes that this contribution of 33% of the Government’s target would be a major step forward.
While many larger housebuilders have invested and committed to building in timber frame, there is a huge opportunity for SMEs to realise the benefits too. From significantly reducing project timescales with faster build speeds, improved quality and reduced waste to saving cost, it’s time to take an in-depth look.
There is existing capacity in the structural timber manufacturing sector to deliver 100,000 homes per annum, and the STA believes that this contribution of 33% of the Government’s target would be a major step forward. The sector’s readiness to achieve these targets is clear from the investment by many manufacturers in greater automation and the first introduction of robotics from Donaldson Timber Systems. Numerous major housebuilders have recognised that the timber industry can deliver valuable benefits and many including Vistry, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments, Cala Homes and Avant Homes are realising and investing in their own factories or establishing long-term partnerships with timber frame manufacturers.
What’s more, boosting production represents a significant economic opportunity – with £10billion gross value already added to the UK’s economy by the timber industry. The sector currently employs more than 300,000 people in 51,000 businesses, and expanding capacity has the potential to unlock many new jobs while also overcoming the skills crisis that has plagued previous attempts to increase housebuilding. Our industry requires clear actionable policies, policies that put MMC and carbon reduction, and therefore structural timber, at the forefront of supporting Government in the delivery of their housing goals. The policies put in place now will have a significant impact on the UK’s ability to deliver housing targets, great places to live and reducing carbon to achieve net zero. This will be the legacy for decades to come.
Ongoing collaboration across the industry is essential to further increase the market share of timber, which has already grown by 23% over the past three years, with over 198,000 timber frame homes constructed in the last five years. The DEFRA-led Timber in Construction Roadmap, launched late in 2023, has taken root and several projects are now underway to deliver the priority themes including increasing demand, supply and skills.
There is significant confidence from both manufacturers and housebuilders that timber frame delivers our best opportunity to grow the housing market, and now is the time to support the wider housebuilding sector to take the opportunity and transition to timber frame. We are at a key crossroads in construction history with new Government. If we are to address the housing shortage without detrimentally impacting the UK’s ability to meet net zero by 2050, we must embrace change to the way we build. Now is the time for change.
For more information visit:
Structural Timber Association
With over 950 members, the STA is the UK’s leading organisation representing the structural timber sector, a sector now valued at over £1billion, and associated supply chain companies. The STA actively work to promote structural timber through innovation and accreditation while raising the bar on quality standards, health and safety, skills training and technical knowledge. Their goal is to drive increased use of MMC and offsite manufacture for the benefit of all stakeholders. Having played a key role in the Government’s Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap development, the STA continues to spearhead its implementation. STA Assure is the STA’s Quality Assurance Scheme that provides confidence in the use of structural timber and member competency and compliance. Speak to the STA at OFFSITE EXPO on Stand F10
Image: Andrew Carpenter, CEO, STA
Source: Offsite Magazine – Issue 44
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