Timber Trade Federation (TTF) chief executive John White’s attendance at the meeting comes shortly after Labour leader Ed Miliband’s much-publicised pledge that a Labour government would seek to deliver 200,000 new homes a year.
The meeting, attended by 50-60 people, was chaired by Home Builders Federation executive chairman Stewart Baseley.
"Current housing models are not building enough houses and we need to find different ways of doing things," Mr White said afterwards. "We need to have our minds open to new things."
Mr White echoed Mr Miliband’s point that the major housebuilders are sitting on enormous land banks but are not releasing them for development.
"It’s also not just about numbers but about quality and sustainability of homes and developments," he said, adding that he was concerned that the current government seemed to be watering down its sustainable housing targets.
Mr White followed up the event by joining British Woodworking Federation executive Iain McIlwee in a meeting with shadow construction minister Iain Wright.
Meanwhile, timber industry promotion group Wood for Good is holding a seminar "Growing Communities: Meeting the Housing Challenge" at London’s Building Centre on February 25.
