The Structural Timber Association (STA) hosted a panel discussion at the Palace of Westminster to highlight the role structural timber could play in helping the UK deliver more homes sustainably and at greater speed. The event brought together representatives from government, housebuilders, housing associations and the timber industry to discuss how timber construction can support housing delivery and net-zero objectives.
The panel was led by Matt Turmaine MP and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and included industry representatives from the STA, Egger UK, Lowfield Timber Frames and Places for People. Discussions focused on the benefits of timber construction, including faster build programmes, sustainability and housing quality.
Matt Turmaine MP emphasised the need for new housing and the contribution timber could make, stating: “Ensuring a plentiful supply of housing remains one of the defining political challenges of our age.
“The benefits of building in structural timber are clear – both in terms of speed of building and the sustainability and quality of the materials and practices used.
“Structural timber has a massive role to play in building more homes now and into the 2030s and beyond.”
Andrew Orriss, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, highlighted growing industry adoption of timber-frame construction, noting that: “Some seven out of the top 15 UK housebuilders are planning to manufacture in timber frame.”
Reflecting on the Westminster event and the industry’s ambitions, Orriss said:
“It was our honour to bring together housebuilders, housing associations, and thought leaders together in Westminster today.
“We look forward to working closely with the UK Government to accelerate housebuilding throughout this Parliament and beyond, helping it and the construction sector meet the UK’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions. This is in line with the DEFRA Timber in Construction Road Map.”
The STA argued that responsibly sourced timber from managed forests offers a renewable construction material with significantly lower embodied carbon than traditional alternatives such as steel and concrete. Because trees absorb and store carbon as they grow, timber buildings can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of construction.
The article also noted increasing support for timber-frame construction among major UK housebuilders, including Vistry, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Persimmon, Cala Homes and Avant Homes, reflecting growing confidence in timber as a mainstream construction solution.
Overall, the Westminster event reinforced the industry’s view that structural timber can help address housing shortages while supporting sustainability goals, reducing embodied carbon and accelerating the delivery of new homes.
