Government commits to more timber construction

Written by Wood Campus

Dec 13, 2023

Industry | News

AUSTRALIAN architect members of the global organisation Architects Declare are having their say on the National Construction Code updates to make sure every new home – without costing more – will raise the required standards of sustainability.
The Government has set out an ambitious plan to raise the use of timber in the construction of homes and buildings. It has published a roadmap to boost the safe use of sustainable UK timber in construction while planting forests to increase domestic timber supply. By planting forests and stimulating construction it aims to reduce emissions and reach net zero, while boosting the economy by cutting imports. Currently 80% of the timber the UK currently uses is imported. Increasing domestic capacity will create new green jobs in the forestry and wood processing sectors, which contribute over £2bn to UK economy.

Only 9% of English new build homes were timber framed in 2019 in contrast to Scotland where this figure was 92%. With England’s low rates of building with timber relative to other countries, there is an opportunity to unlock this industry at scale and at speed.

Despite several remaining outstanding building safety concerns, the report states that it is possible to safely increase the use of mass-engineered timber in some mid-rise commercial buildings and other non-residential buildings where the risks are adequately assessed, and the consequences of failure accounted for.

Forestry Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Investing in timber is investing in growth and levelling up. The built environment is responsible for a huge proportion of UK carbon emissions, and using home-grown timber in construction is key to reducing emissions.

“Promoting the use of timber as a building material is a key part of the government’s Net Zero Strategy. It will innovate the economy, play a role in creating green jobs and also help meet our tree-planting targets.”

Continue Reading: Construction Enquirer

More News

FSC awareness doubled since pre-lockdown

FSC awareness doubled since pre-lockdown

Awareness of the FSC logo in the UK has increased 45% since 2019[1], and the proportion of those claiming both good and rough knowledge of the logo has more than doubled. With data from the Office for National Statistics revealing that nature had supported people’s...

BWF research shows homeowners positive over timber

BWF research shows homeowners positive over timber

New research from the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) reveals signs that timber windows and doors are viewed positively by homeowners, but that misunderstandings over their performance persist. The survey of 1,500 homeowners unearthed the main factors guiding...

Asia’s largest timber building

Asia’s largest timber building

‘Like entering a forest’: Inside Asia’s largest timber building Singapore CNN — Singapore has long billed itself as a “garden city,” a term coined in the 1960s by the country’s founding father and former prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. In the decades since, the island...

Call for Entries live for Wood Awards 2023

Call for Entries live for Wood Awards 2023

The call for entries for the Wood Awards 2023 is now live! Enter your wood-centric building, furniture or product before 23 June 2023 and have your work recognised as the best in the UK. Architects, engineers, installers, furniture makers, product designers – or...

Timber Shortages Ease

Timber Shortages Ease

The timber shortage has brought price hikes and delays, but there is good news as supply increases. A timber shortage which has frustrated homebuilders all year is “highly likely” to be over, according to the Timber Trade Federation (TTF). This, the TTF says, is...

Grand Entrance For UC4 Glulam

Grand Entrance For UC4 Glulam

A new school auditorium for Horris Hill Preparatory School on its rural campus near Newbury, Berkshire, has been transformed using structural engineered timber and a Use Class 4 (UC4) treated glulam portico. The choice of materials for the new David Brownlow theatre...

Use Wood With A Clear Conscience

Use Wood With A Clear Conscience

Sara Kulturhus in Skellefteå has made it to the final of the International Award for Wood Architecture, the winner of which will be announced on 7 April. “It’s vital to make construction climate-neutral, and wood is a natural material. With Sara Kulturhus, we’ve shown...

The 2021 wood awards winners announced

The 2021 wood awards winners announced

Six structures and two product designs have been announced as the Wood Awards 2021 winners at a ceremony on 25 November held at the Building Centre, London. Established in 1971, the Wood Awards is the UK’s premier competition for excellence in architecture and product...