Five Year Plan gets industry backing

The government's newly-announced Five Year Plan for helping more people onto the home ownership ladder has been welcomed by the timber frame and wood products sectors.

Deputy prime minister John Prescott's plan seeks to help 80,000 more people into home ownership by 2010, including a first time buyer's initiative using publicly-owned land, such as old NHS hospital sites, for new homes.

It also features a competition for builders to construct a house for £60,000, as well as a commitment to build an extra 10,000 social (rented) homes a year by 2008.

UK Timber Frame Association chief executive Bryan Woodley said the timber frame industry was ready and able to implement the plans.

He said: "Let's get on with it. We can deliver quality homes at low cost."

Mr Woodley said the timber frame industry experienced a 40% growth in affordable housing starts during 2003, while its market share of the sector was also about 40%.

He took issue with some national newspaper reports which questioned whether proper, desirable homes could be constructed for £60,000. "Timber frame can be built for that sort of price," he added.

British Woodworking Federation director Richard Lambert expressed delight that the government was maintaining its commitment to build more social housing.

"The social sector is showing greater interest in using timber in construction as a sustainable and environmentally-friendly material."

The Construction Products Association welcomed the Five Year Plan, which Mr Prescott called the "most comprehensive policy ever for delivering sustainable homeownership", saying the competition could provide a showcase for innovative construction products.