Increased use of timber in Bellway’s future planning

As part of its long-term growth strategy, housebuilder Bellway is increasing the use of sustainably sourced timber frame construction across the Group.

Timber frame construction is said to offer a proven range of operational, financial and environmental benefits, and Bellway has been expanding its use, on a trial basis, in several divisions in recent years, in addition to its long-established use in its two Scottish divisions.

As a modern method of construction (‘MMC’), the use of timber frame in housebuilding is of growing importance in the UK, and the Government is supporting the increased use of MMC as part of its plans to increase the supply of high-quality, sustainable new housing.

Bellway expects to generate a range of benefits from the use of timber frame in the years ahead and this has been corroborated from onsite trials. These include faster build speed, reduced waste and improved construction quality, as off-site manufacturing can drive higher levels of quality control and consistency compared to traditional construction methods.

In turn, these build efficiencies should support improvements in the Group’s asset turn, together with strengthening customer are scores. Compared to other mainstream building materials, timber requires minimal processing and has very low relative levels of embodied carbon.

To support volume growth ambitions and carbon reduction goals, Bellway is targeting an increase in timber frame use to around 30% of housing output by 2030 (2024 – 12%). The planned growth in timber frame output will be achieved primarily by investing in its own proprietary timber frame manufacturing facility, ‘Bellway Home Space’.

In addition, the company will continue to work with the UK’s leading timber frame manufacturers for the supply and installation of timber frame homes to Bellway sites across the Group.

The Group has recently taken possession of a 134,000 square foot industrial unit for ‘Bellway Home Space’ under a long-term lease agreement. The facility, chosen for its transport links, is located within a strong logistics network near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and the Group has appointed an experienced Managing Director to run its timber frame operations.

In order to drive efficiencies and quality, the facility will operate using computer driven robotic machinery which will be supplied by a leading, well-established manufacturer.

‘Bellway Home Space’ will have the capability to manufacture open-panel systems, together with pre-insulated closed-panel systems, where both insulation and the inner sheath are assembled within the factory environment, further improving thermal efficiency and reducing on-site waste.

Bellway currently expect to produce its first homes from the facility in mid-2026, with a gradual increase to full capacity of up to 3,000 homes per annum by 2030. All management, manufacturing and materials control will be undertaken by Bellway, ensuring the Group benefits from its overall investment in the factory and machinery, while also providing the opportunity to innovate product and control costs.

The full benefits of timber frame construction will require some operational changes to the business, including the redesign of our Artisan house-types to accommodate the requirements of timber frame and the Future Homes Standard. We expect this process to complete by the end of calendar year 2025.

Overall, we are confident that our investment in timber frame in the years ahead will underpin the delivery of our strategic priorities, to drive long-term volume growth and an improvement in RoCE, and help meet the targets set out in our ‘Better with Bellway’ sustainability strategy.

Home | Bellway Corporate