EEDA - East of England Development Agency

Boost for Bedfordshire’s woodland enterprises

22 December 2008

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has allocated £600,000 to a new project which aims to boost sustainable businesses, skills and jobs by creating a new hub in a Bedfordshire woodland.

The Greensand Trust’s proposals for the Working Woodland Centre at Maulden Wood include business units and a visitor centre, off the A6, near Bedford.

The scheme will also encourage the sustainable management of Bedfordshire’s woodlands and improve the county’s biodiversity.

EEDA chair Richard Ellis said:

“Our research showed that only 37 per cent of Bedfordshire’s woodland was being actively managed but demand for local, carbon-friendly wood fuel and timber is growing.

“The Working Woodland Centre could help businesses supply these new markets and be an asset to the local community. As well as creating jobs and attracting visitors, the centre could also be used to improve skills such as environmental management.”

EEDA’s award is part of a programme, managed by the Bedfordshire and Luton Economic Development Partnership (BLEDP), to help people in the county take part in the region’s economy.

Jon Billington, of BLEDP, said:

“This EEDA award will help the project create a sustainable environment for businesses and people.”
The Working Woodland Centre is a partnership project between the trust, BLEDP, the Forestry Commission (FC) and Bedfordshire County Council.

The trust will be applying for planning permission in the New Year for an environmentally-friendly centre, on land owned by the county council. The provisional plans also include workshops on FC land to encourage businesses, visitor facilities and a new headquarters for the trust, which is an independent environmental charity.

Gill Welham, trust chief executive said:

“It’s fantastic that this project is securing such valued support and investment from EEDA.
 
“The new centre will provide much-needed infrastructure and support to rebuild our woodland communities, restore our woodland heritage and create opportunities for local people in a sustainable way.

“The Working Woodlands Centre will also allow more woodland to be managed, which will improve biodiversity by creating and maintaining wildlife habitats.”