Eastbourne Borough Council has announced the awarding of a grant from the Forestry Commission, allowing them the chance to explore the use of local timber in the delivery of net zero homes.
The grant, amounting to £200,000 comes from the Forestry Commission’s Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds. This funding has the aim of supporting innovative projects that can encourage an increase in the active management of woods around the country.
Around 14% of all woodland nationally is not actively managed, impacting on biodiversity, so the increased management of woodland can have many benefits to the environment. This end goal further supports the environmental goals of central and local government, especially with the use of local timber in the construction of net zero homes in Eastbourne.
Cabinet Member for Place Services, Climate Change, Heritage Assets and Special Projects, Cllr Colin Swansborough, said:
“This exciting project perfectly combines our management of the downland and woodlands around Eastbourne with our commitment to delivering zero carbon homes by 2030.”
“Up until now English timber has been prohibitive to use as a housing material due to cost. With this grant, we will be working with our partners over the next 16 months to examine whether competitive products can be made from local timber.
“If successful, this project could act as a catalyst for investment, making English timber a mainstream product for both the social and private sector and demonstrate how practical action can impact climate change.”
