FEATURE: TIMBER & WOOD CARE
PLANS TO INCREASE DOMESTIC TIMBER TO BOOST UK ECONOMY AND HOUSE BUILDING
New, ambitious plans to increase the use of timber in construction to boost the domestic timber industry, economic growth, rural jobs and house building targets, were recently announced by Environment Minister Mary Creagh at the Timber in Construction (TiC) Summit in London.
T
he government has outlined new methods to deliver on its Plan for Change that will help to
build 1.5million sustainable and affordable homes, create a low- waste circular construction sector and drive further investment into domestic timber and wood- processing supply chains. Speaking at the TiC Summit, Minister Creagh confirmed the government will recommit to the Timber in Construction Roadmap, which outlines measures to increase the use of timber in the construction sector.
Using timber in construction is one of the best ways to reduce emissions from buildings. Around 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions are from the built environment, and larger buildings can store up to 400% more carbon when built out of engineered timber products compared to when built with concrete. Currently 80% of the timber the UK currently uses is imported.
L-R David Hopkins (CEO of Timber Development UK), Defra Environment Minister Mary Creagh, Andrew Carpenter (CEO of Structural Timber Association) , Andy Leitch (Deputy Chief Executive of Confor)
and ensuring carbon emissions are considering during the design, construction and use of buildings. Fulfilling the Government’s commitment to delivering 1.5m homes this Parliament by using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) including the use of timber, to boost productivity in house building and deliver high quality,
energy
Timber in Construction Roadmap The new Timber in Construction Roadmap outlines more ambitious Government priorities and key actions including: Encouraging the use of sustainable, low carbon building materials,
efficient new homes. Creating a circular economy by championing timber’s potential for a clean growth future - supporting the construction sector to use the most sustainable, low carbon materials and construction techniques. Accelerating economic growth by creating new and diverse green jobs in the productive forestry and timber sectors, as well as stimulating further investment into domestic timber and wood processing supply chains. These actions will go alongside
recommitting to existing plans such as promoting timber as a construction material, boosting skills and capacity across the supply chain and increasing the supply of sustainable timber products. Environment Minister Mary
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never builds up beneath it or within the supporting studwork - creating a functional storage space. Once protected from the elements, this new space can be used for storing bikes, lawnmowers, gardening tools, patio furniture and other outdoor essentials. Or, if used as an additional living space it could be fitted with everything from furniture and decorative accessories to televisions, speakers, lights and heaters. The wiring for these components is hidden between the deck surface and the soffit ceiling. Simon, who is also a TrexPro installer, said: “Sometimes, it’s what you don’t see that makes all the difference. That’s the innovative advantage of a deck drainage system which can add value and
Creagh says: “This Government is getting Britain building. Our Plan for Change will build 1.5 million homes this Parliament. Timber will play a vital role benefitting development and nature.” Forestry Commission Chief Executive, Richard Stanford says: “To reach net zero, we must increase timber production from homegrown trees and use that timber in our buildings to sequester carbon. The Timber in Construction Roadmap will propel forestry production in England to ensure timber security, reduce our dependence on imports, and address the nature crisis by boosting biodiversity, improving water quality, and providing more green spaces for people. “The Forestry Commission will continue to collaborate closely with partners from the timber, forestry, and construction sectors in this critical area of work for many years ahead”. Alex Goodfellow, Chair of the Confederation of Timber Industries, and CEO of Donaldson Offsite says: “The Minister’s support for the Timber in Construction Roadmap shows the Government’s firm commitment to a growth agenda: growth for forestry, for housing, for low-carbon skills and for the economy. The timber supply chain is a major economic player in the UK, connecting rural and urban environments. “Timber frame construction is a
well-proven technology and business model for delivering houses rapidly and sustainably while improving quality. By accelerating this growth we can build more
low-carbon
housing today while providing a market pull for expanding forests. As a supply chain we will support the Government to deliver on all of the goals in the roadmap and help build a more sustainable future.”
functionality to an outdoor living space without adding any significant extra cost.”
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Increasing domestic production The amended roadmap goes further than previous Government commitments, setting out more ambitious targets and actions to increase the use of home-grown timber in construction in a move to reduce carbon emissions, provide green jobs of the future, create affordable and sustainable housing, and drive-up economic growth. Increasing the domestic production of timber will create new green jobs in the forestry and wood processing sectors, which contribute over £3bn to the UK economy.
MARCH 2025 DIY WEEK 21
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