STRUCTURAL TIMBER IS THE SOLUTION TO LABOUR’S NEW PLANNING REFORM PROPOSALS

Originally published on 2nd August 2024

The Structural Timber Association (STA) has welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s assertion that local authorities must consider “how to deliver new homes, not whether to,” and is again calling on Government to recognise that the solution to this question lies in adopting greater use of sustainable building technologies, such as offsite timber frame.

Speaking in Parliament earlier this week, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government unveiled the Labour Government’s proposal for planning reform, which includes increasing the overall housing targets to more than 370,000 per year and releasing greenbelt land for development, while also ensuring at least 50 per cent of new properties are designated affordable homes, with the necessary social infrastructure to support new neighbourhoods.

Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the STA, commented: “To meet such ambitious figures, more than 1,000 new homes will have to be delivered across the country – every single day. The STA believes that the only way to meet this demand for homes and achieve our net zero obligations, is by embracing change. Change in how we build, the materials we use, and the way we attract new people into the construction industry. There is existing capacity in the established structural timber manufacturing sector of 120 members to double timber frame manufacturing output to achieve 100,000 homes per annum – quickly reaching almost a third of the annual target.

“What’s more, boosting production represents a significant economic opportunity – with £10 billion 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.”

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, visit: www.structuraltimber.co.uk