The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) has hailed the initial results of a major government housing review as good news for timber construction.
“Securing our Future Housing Needs”, conducted by Kate Barker of the Bank of England‘s Monetary Policy Committee, says an additional 145,000 homes need to be built each year to keep up with the continent. It is also damning of the planning system, branding it “complex” and timescales “unacceptably long”.
Bryan Woodley, chief executive of the UKTFA, said: “The interim report states that eight out of ten construction firms are facing skills shortages. These shortages are a key driver in the growth of timber frame, where engineered components, manufactured off-site, are widely recognised as reducing the need for scarce site skills, such as brick laying.”
Ms Barker’s call for greater provision of social housing was also welcomed by Mr Woodley, who said timber frame is already supplying 30% of social housing in the UK.
Richard Lambert, director of the British Woodworking Federation, described the review as “potentially radical” and said it could have a large impact.
He added: “If more houses are built, that will increase the market for builders’ joinery products.”
The Construction Products Association welcomed the report, saying the lack of housing provision is damaging to the UK economy.
The Barker Report also says the UK would need to build an extra 39,000 homes annually just to keep pace with population growth. The full review is expected to be published at the same time as the 2004 budget.
