Project update February 2010
For information on the background to the Working Woodland Centre (WWC) project please visit
the news archive section on the Greensand Trust website http://www.greensandtrust.org./NewsArchive.html

Community Consultation
Three community 'open evenings' have been held since May 2009; giving local people the opportunity to find out more about the project, meet the people involved (architects, Forestry Commission and Greensand Trust staff) and contribute their ideas and provide feedback on the WWC proposals.

A total of 103 people attended the events in Maulden, Haynes and Clophill. The venue has been rotated to ensure we are reaching as many of our local audience as possible. It has been
suggested that the next event is held in Silsoe. The overhwelming response from these events is
that local people feel the WWC is an excellent project, providing a much needed facility and improving Deadman's Hill lay-by.

Feedback from the events has shown that:

- Walking, observing nature and enjoying the fresh air/relaxation are the most popular activities at Maulden Wood

- People would like more information on wildlife, access/where to go and history and archaeology
in particular

- Indications are that the most popular products a 'wood shop' could sell are items to encourage wildlife and garden products

More detailed user surveys have also been filled out during these events, as well as on-site.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the surveys and events.

Highways
The recent TRAMMS (Highways) meeting to discuss the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders also included the opportunity for local people to have an input. Many of the comments received
supported the principle of the project and we hope that the solution reached will allow the project to happen and improve safety in the area.

The approval for the highways works as specified in the planning conditions has been agreed including the consideration, by relevant highway officers and the portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, of traffic calming measures in Haynes West End. The Highways
department is now in the process of preparing a full design and cost for the highways works. The Greensand trust expects to receive this in March 2010.

Costs and funding
The estimated capital costs of the visitor facilities and workshops is approximately £1.2million. In December 2008 EEDA’s Investing in Communities Fund awarded £600,000 towards this target.
The Greensand Trust has successfully secured funding from the following organisations and
charitable trusts; Central Bedfordshire Economic Participation fund, WREN, Central Bedfordshire Community fund, Rees Jeffreys Trust and the Environment Agency. Several other grant
applications are currently being considered.

The Greensand Trust, Forestry Commission and Central Bedfordshire Council are all contributing significant match funding / in-kind contributions. The Working Woodland Centre is to be situated
on land owned by Central Bedfordshire Council which will be leased to the Greensand Trust. A similar contribution is being made by the Forestry Commission for the land on which the
Workshop will be situated.

If you would like to donate to help this project or the work of the Greensand Trust please visit our donation page.

Next Steps
We are in the process of appointing a contractor to deliver the project. It is hoped that construction will start in spring 2010 and the build will be complete in early 2011.

We will update this site as further information becomes available.

Getting involved
If you would like more information on this or any other project the Trust is involved with please contact:

Gill Welham/Jon Balaam
The Greensand Trust
The Forest Office
Maulden Wood
Haynes West End
Bedfordshire
MK43 3QT
Tel:01234 743666