Ambitious plans to promote timber as a primary building material and spur economic growth were outlined at the Timber in Construction (TiC) Summit in London.
Environment Minister Mary Creagh announced an updated TiC Roadmap, designed to accelerate the UK’s adoption of timber-based builds, reduce carbon emissions, and ease the nation’s housing shortage.
Under this expanded roadmap, the Government aims to promote the use of homegrown timber and lower-carbon construction methods without compromising on quality or safety. It underscores the need to transform the UK’s reliance on imports—80% of timber currently used is sourced abroad—and capitalise on timber’s natural carbon-storing benefits.
Forestry Commission Chief Executive, Richard Stanford, lauded the plan as a stepping stone towards “timber security” and reducing import dependence. By harnessing increased forestry production in England, policymakers hope to enhance biodiversity, boost rural economies, and provide new green spaces.
David Hopkins, CEO of Timber Development UK, sees the strategy as a “significant boost to the low-carbon construction sector,” signalling that growing the timber industry can underpin national economic growth.
Likewise, Confederation of Timber Industries Chair Alex Goodfellow described timber as an opportunity to “build more low-carbon housing today while expanding forests,” echoing the plan’s ambition to tackle the UK’s environmental targets. Meanwhile, Stuart Goodall of Confor praised the Government’s focus on “productive forestry and homegrown wood-based products.”
In emphasising offsite construction methods and structural timber, the roadmap also resonates with Andrew Carpenter of the Structural Timber Association, who notes it “meets housebuilding targets while also addressing urgent decarbonisation obligations.”
Overall, the Government’s bold commitment to Britain’s timber sector is expected to foster greater domestic production, attract investment in wood processing, and further integrate sustainable materials into mainstream construction. With new measures outlined and wide industry support, timber could prove a key plank in achieving growth, lowering emissions, and delivering critically needed homes.
