UK construction is enjoying its most sustained period of growth since the late 1980s, according to latest forecasts from Construction Forecasting and Research (CFR).
Output of new housing is expected to grow by 6% this year in both public and private sectors, with repair and maintenance up by 3%. Total output is forecast to rise by 3.8% in 2002, up on last year’s 3.5%.
Charles Grant, public relations director of the UK Timber Frame Association, said reliable figures are not currently available for the timber frame industry but the past two years have shown a “significant” boost.
Mr Grant said: “There is a large interest in timber frame from housing associations. Timber frame is a very strong system in terms of sustainability, the environment, the fact it is actually produced, its speed of construction and its ability to meet new building regulations.”
Glen Allison, group managing director of Stewart Milne Timber Systems, said: “Our customer base is increasingly the main housebuilders and major providers of social housing.”
He said factors helping timber frame include a shortage of traditional building skills, an increase in regulation (including thermo and acoustic performance), a buoyant housing market and an increasing awareness in the industry that timber frame is an acceptable method of construction.
CFR says construction output is being boosted by government investment in transport, education, health and housing. It believes private developers will reap benefits from the buoyant housing market but says long-term activity remains constrained by planning restrictions and lack of land availability.
