UK government ban hits high rise timber housing

The UK government has banned the use of combustible materials in the external walls of new buildings over 18m in height that contain homes. The move comes in response to the tragic fire at the Grenfell Tower block in London last year, but it has prompted concern among architects as it rules out the use of engineered timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) in high-rise housing blocks. They say the move limits the potential for sustainable high-rise residential innovation and development.