Timber frame will help meet carbon neutral targets, says UKTFA

The government aims to achieve this target by exempting such homes from stamp duty for a limited period of time, starting from 2007.

While UKTFA chief executive Bryan Woodley said chancellor Gordon Brown's target was “ambitious”, it was one that he applauded.

He said the UK timber frame industry was already developing the technology and building practices that allow housebuilders to meet the target.

“We believe that the use of timber fame makes it both commercially and technically feasible,” he said.

He cited the example of Stewart Milne's 'zero carbon' house which will be unveiled at BRE's Offsite 07 exhibition, which Mr Woodley expected would provide useful information to allow innovative timber frame technology to be adapted to suit volume housebuilding.

“In the meantime, the timber frame industry is actively participating with English Partnership's latest phase of its Design for Manufacture competition to provide low and zero carbon developments across the country,” said Mr Woodley, “as well as similar schemes in the Thames Gateway area and elsewhere.”