6 | UK News
UK chancellor’s housebuilding targets could signal timber frame boost
Above left: Offsite timber frame could win big if the new government keeps to its ambitious housebuilding agenda Centre: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled big housebuilding commitments Above right: Timber frame investments by major housebuilders are gathering steam
Ambitious new housebuilding targets to build 1.5 million new homes in England over the course of the new Parliament has been welcomed by the housebuilding industry.
Along with the new homes commitment, chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a reform of the planning system to free up development.
If realised, the targets are likely to be a shot in the arm for the construction industry, which has been waiting to see what action a new government may take on housebuilding. The move is likely to see renewed focus on off-site timber construction methods, favoured for their speed and low carbon credentials, while also solving the problem of a lack of traditional building skills on site.
Major housebuilders had already been making offsite housing investments over the past couple of years, with Persimmon committing to build a new Space4 timber frame factory in Loughborough with a 7,000 homes/year capacity, expected be in full operation towards the end of 2025. Taylor Wimpey is expanding its timber frame activities with a new fully automated timber frame factory in Peterborough to give the company significant operational and environmental benefits. And Barratt
TTJ | July/August 2024 |
www.ttjonline.com
Developments is building a £45m timber frame factory in Derby with a capacity of 4,000 timber frame kits per year. Other housebuilder developments have included Vistry reopening the 6,000-home capacity former Countryside timber frame factory in Leicestershire, while Donaldson Timber Systems has invested £10m in its Witney operation (see pp46-48). The Home Builders Federation (HBF) was quick to get behind the government’s commitments.
“The home building industry stands ready to support the chancellor’s ambitious plans for housing with investment, job creation and the new homes the country needs,” said Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation. “As she identified, we can only build if we plan effectively and if councils take responsibility for the housing needs of their communities. We also need to address the lack of capacity in local authority planning departments and unblock the 160,000 homes held up by nutrient neutrality. “We must also consider the current struggles of first-time buyers to take their first steps on the housing ladder,” said Mr Jefferson. “In this environment it is frustrating that, for the first time in decades, there is no active government
support for aspiring homeowners.” The chancellor signalled that mandatory housing targets would be reinstated before the end of July.
The government is to identify and unblock key ‘stalled sites’ to get large housing schemes moving forward, starting with four sites across England to unlock over 14,000 homes: Liverpool Central Docks, Northstowe, Worcester Parkway and Langley Sutton Coldfield.
The chancellor has also confirmed that the government will support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country.
Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks to accelerate the development of housing and infrastructure, including launching a landmark consultation on an updated, growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework to include mandatory housing targets and a requirement to review greenbelt boundaries where necessary to meet them.
These will prioritise brownfield and “grey belt” land for development to meet housing targets where needed, partnered with new ‘golden rules’ that will make sure the development this frees up will also deliver thousands of affordable homes, including more for social rent.
UK News
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