In its net zero strategy published in October the government recognised that “timber has the lowest embodied carbon of any mainstream building materials”. It announced plans to promote “the safe use of timber in construction through several measures” and promised to work with industry bodies to create “a policy roadmap on the use of timber”.

In simple terms, it takes relatively little energy to turn wood from trees into timber products when compared with the production of other materials. Brick, for instance, is the product of highly energy-intensive processes.

Proponents of timber-frame construction also point to its thermal efficiency and faster on-site build times.

Soaring energy costs, challenging net zero targets, dwindling fossil fuels and global supply chain issues… surely there could not be a better time to accept that the use of wood is good?