October 2025 News from the Sawmill
Welcome to our October newsletter
This month’s newsletter is inspired by the recent National Forestry Conference. Such events can sometimes feel a little slow and samey, but not this one. This year it was bursting with fresh ideas, new research, and exciting announcements. We thought we’d share a flavour with you.
Built by Nature: 5 Principles
Built by Nature, a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to transform the built environment, introduced their Five Principles for Responsible Timber Construction. They really struck a chord with us. In fact, we signed up on the spot. We’ve also written an article sharing our view that responsible timber construction begins in the forest, continues through thoughtful manufacturing, and results in buildings that stand the test of time.
Vastern Timber Backs Five Principles of Responsible Construction
Agile Homes
Agile Homes is a company that truly lives and breathes the Five Principles. Founder, CEO and self-proclaimed Pirate, Craig White, has developed an entirely new model for delivering high-quality social housing while creating a whole stack of social and environmental benefits along the way. The clever part? He’s figured out how to monetise that stack. If you want to know how, you’ll need to buy him a beer.
Multimax Multistorey, Maximum Timber
We Can Make, a partner of Built by Nature and an organisation we’ve recently connected with, has coined the brilliant phrase “gentle densification” to describe their approach to creating affordable, low-impact homes in urban areas. Their Multimax initiative blends that ethos with systemised design and digital production in local neighbourhood factories. A truly “mass local” way of building.
GIB Standard Recognised
It was a real pleasure to hear the Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh, speak with such passion about the vital role of woodlands and forestry for both nature and the economy. But, the real bombshell came with the announcement that the Government will now recognise Grown in Britain (GIB) certification on an equal footing with FSC and PEFC. That’s a huge win for the British forestry and timber industry, and a long-overdue, common-sense step towards using more locally grown timber in public buildings. Well done to Dougal Driver and the team!
Taigh Na Coille Awarded
Talking of sustainable buildings, you may recognise this project from previous newsletters. The news this month is that Spey Building and Joinery, the construction firm behind Taigh Na Coille, have been awarded the 2025 Federation of Master Builders award for Sustainable Building. Congratulations to all those involved.
Veterans’ Oaks
Lastly, please join us in planting an oak to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War Two.
