A showcase development in Ebbw Vale could provide the springboard for affordable homes built from Welsh softwood, according to Coed Cymru.
Plans have been drawn up for a £100,000 educational environmental resource centre built entirely from home-grown timber, which will use box beams constructed from planed Welsh softwood for the main structure.
The modular system, Ty Unnos, has been developed in response to the need to provide more affordable homes in Wales, with timber a possible material.
However, concern about fast-grown softwood cracking and its suitability for timber frame has meant Scandinavian imports have dominated the Welsh construction sector.
“It will be our proof of concept showcase and an ideal opportunity to illustrate the technology,” said David Jenkins, director of Coed Cymru.
“We are now working with the private sector to take this forward and a number of companies and housing associations are interested.”
Leighton Andrews, deputy minister for regeneration, said the Ty Unnos project has the potential to create jobs in rural areas and bring added value to the Welsh forest industry.
