The STA Supports Building for Change

Today we have declared our full support for the Offsite manufacture for construction: Building for Change report – published today by the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee. As contributors, the STA and many of our members responded to the Lords Committee Inquiry and we unreservedly support the government’s pledge for the presumption for offsite.

One of the report’s key recommendations was that the government should promote the use of pre-manufactured solutions through policy measures, so in theory there is a lot of positive content in this Lords Committee report but there are some barriers to overcome. The time is right for the construction industry to embrace offsite manufacture. We can demonstrate the positive role that innovative timber technology and offsite techniques can play to meet the reports ambition to develop better buildings at a rapid rate to achieve government targets and overcome the shortfall in housing stock.

In recent years, many stark warnings have been issued about the problems characterising the construction sector. The combined effect of these problems is that the construction sector, as it is currently constituted, cannot efficiently meet the need for housing in this country. Offsite manufacture for construction could help the sector to meet these needs. It provides clear and tangible benefits which makes a compelling case for its widespread use.

Offsite manufactured structural timber systems have advanced greatly in recent years and can offer house builders cost, programme and performance assurances. Structural timber solutions outweigh other sectors in regard to volume of materials – the sector is quick to respond and can add capacity at a relatively rapid rate to meet demand. Shortages in other traditional construction materials has encouraged larger builders and specifiers to look to alternatives but potentially, new policy measures will further increase the specification of offsite technology.

Whilst we see this report as very positive we would also point out that there are other areas that need to be addressed for this to deliver in line with expectations – we would reference the planning system as a case in point. We need to have a joined-up approach if we are to succeed as an industry and deliver much-needed housing in the UK.

 To read the report go to: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldsctech/169/16902.htm