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Panelised timber solutions are key to addressing the UK’s housing shortage while avoiding pipeline issues faced by volumetric modular building companies.
At the recent UK Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, experts and policy professionals gathered to discuss how structural timber could play a role in meeting the UK’s ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes within five years. The session was led by Jon Craig, Sky News’ chief political correspondent, and featured Mike Reader MP for Northampton South, Branwen Evans from Places for People, and Andrew Carpenter, CEO of the Structural Timber Association.
The panel emphasised the existing capability of the structural timber sector to quickly ramp up production to 100,000 homes annually – roughly one-third of the 300,000 homes needed each year to meet government targets.
Andrew Carpenter highlighted how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), especially structural timber, align well with Britain’s twin objectives of increasing housing supply and reaching net zero emissions. Carpenter, involved in the Timber in Construction Roadmap, underscored that MMC is ready to collaborate with all facets of the housing industry, including planners and insurers, to support a safe, sustainable housing rollout. “Structural timber can be instrumental in delivering one-third of the housing target. Beyond this, decarbonisation must be central to the growth strategy,” Carpenter noted, calling the present time a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for timber.”
Carpenter also advocated for a “consistent pipeline” of projects, noting that recent challenges faced by large volumetric firms were due, in part, to weak industry ties. In contrast, panelised timber solutions benefit from more secure demand and integration. Bethan Evans of Places for People echoed this, suggesting smaller, regional factories could serve as sustainable alternatives to megafactories, reducing carbon emissions associated with long-haul transport while creating local employment.
Attendees, including local councillors, planners, and businesses across the MMC and housing sectors, engaged in discussions around practical challenges. Representatives from the Fire Protection Association and Construction Products Association raised points about timber safety, calling for a balanced perspective on its benefits and risks. Carpenter reassured the audience that building safety is a priority, positioning MMC as a means to meet stringent safety and environmental standards.
