*PINNED POST* TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION POLICY ROADMAP BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR INDUSTRY GROWTH

Originally published on 11th December 2023

The Structural Timber Association has welcomed the launch of the Timber in Construction (TiC) Policy Roadmap, released today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which sets out a framework for increasing the use of timber in construction.

The eagerly awaited document is the culmination of many months of collaboration between Government and industry, focused on identifying the important steps that need to be taken to encourage wider adoption of timber as a construction material.

Chaired by DEFRA, the TiC working group also includes the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Department for Business and Trade and the Forestry Commission, along with industry representatives from the Structural Timber Association (STA), Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor).

Contributing research and data to help address the impact that timber can have on the reduction of CO2, the Structural Timber Association has worked alongside the other members of the TiC to identify where barriers exist in the expansion of timber in construction and the solutions that the Government and the wider industry should look to implement. The recommendations are structured around seven key themes – Demand, Supply, Building Safety, Labour and Skills, Carbon, Insurance, and Innovation.

Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, commented: “The increased use of structural timber presents an opportunity to transition towards a more sustainable and carbon-efficient method of construction. As the only truly renewable and sustainable building resource, and with low embodied carbon, timber is an effective solution to achieving net zero and meeting the requirements of the Future Homes Standard – so we are pleased to see that the Government is prioritising its use.

“We applaud the leadership that has been shown in setting this objective and in the collaborative approach that has been taken with industry during the development of this essential policy roadmap. With solid recommendations now in place, the roadmap will give clarity and reassurances to stakeholders throughout the construction industry, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we take the next steps towards implementation of the recommendations.”

To read the full policy roadmap, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timber-in-construction-roadmap/timber-in-construction-roadmap

For more information please visit www.timefortimber.org

Ends

Editors notes

£10billion gross value was added to the UK economy by the timber industry, and the sector employs over 300,000 people across 51,000 businesses

As the leading authority for structural timber build systems, the Structural Timber Association (STA) is recognised for their technical excellence, superior knowledge and leading standards. 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.

Their mission is to support and facilitate the UK construction industry to increase the use of structural timber across housing, public sector and commercial sectors, contributing to the housing targets of 300,00 per year, while delivering value and increased build quality, through fast, sustainable, low carbon construction. Over the past 5 years 198,429 timber frame homes have been built in the UK, a number which the STA seeks to increase in line with housing targets. 

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. Additionally, the STA works to influence legislation and regulation, and support the objectives of the structural timber sector as a whole. 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 determines member competency and compliance, providing solid reassurances to the construction community that its members meet or exceed current legislation and regulatory requirements.

For more information about structural timber please visit www.timefortimber.org

For more information about the STA, including STA Assure, please visit: www.structuraltimber.co.uk