Pinewood Structures Ltd has said that recent comments from the housing and planning minister could lead developers to “look towards timber frame”.
“The ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 is a challenging one,” said Yvette Cooper, speaking as Communities and Local Government published revised technical guidance for the Code for Sustainable Homes.
“We need to work in close co-operation with housebuilders and the green technology industry to achieve this.”
Geoff Arnold, Pinewood Structures managing director, noted that these comments will reinforce the timber industry’s green credentials and lead developers to look more closely at timber frame when tackling carbon emissions and energy efficiency.
“We already know that timber frame is the most sustainable main stream build technology,” said Mr Arnold.
“We welcome the minister’s announcement and hope that it encourages developers to look towards timber frame as the solution to sustainable housing.”
Pinewood Strucutres is the only supplier to have been awarded A and A+ ratings for its products in the BRE’s Green Guide, which allows developers to gain credit points towards their Code for Sustainable Homes score.
Communities and Local Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes technical guidance is to be kept under constant review “as new evidence emerges about costs and practicalities”, with the latest updates including new guidelines for calculating energy efficiencies for flats and water efficiencies, as well as the use of off-site renewable energy sources.
