STA takes the timber debate to the Houses of Parliament

As a Director of the Structural Timber Association (STA), I am proud to be part of the driving force behind the latest discussions surrounding the use of structural timber and offsite construction methods in relation to the future of housebuilding. 

The STA recently hosted a roundtable discussion at The Houses of Parliament which was attended by industry leaders and representatives from The Housing Forum, Zero Carbon Hub and Wood for Good, along with MP David Warburton. The discussions were upbeat with an optimistic outlook towards industry growth and development.

Based around three key areas of discussion – the recent changes in Government regulations and its impact on provision of affordable housing, implications of the postponement of the Zero Carbon Homes target and the opportunity and benefits of offsite construction - each topic placed the consumer at the forefront of the timber housebuilding industry.

Following the postponement of the Zero Carbon Homes target, disappointment was felt across the housebuilding industry. The discussion, therefore, focused around the need for a new target and aim to drive forward the desire for energy efficient homes.

Due to the current shortage of affordable homes, it was agreed that any drive toward educating consumers and developers on building better homes should come from the Government. This would then enable the construction industry to communicate benefits of timber and offsite building methods to the wider market. 

It is rewarding to be part of a growing association that represents truly sustainable construction - giving the structural timber industry an authoritative, united voice, with which we can influence the future direction of the sector.