Introduction:
The Working Woodlands Centre (WWC) concept has been around for some years, part of the solution to bringing under-managed and
under-utilised woodlands back into positive management. Traditional management practices such as coppicing not only provide valuable timber products, but also increase the biodiversity of our woodlands, benefitting birds, flowering plants and invertebrates in particular.

It is a partnership project involving the Greensand Trust, Central Bedfordshire Council, The Forestry Commission and Bedfordshire and Luton Economic Partnership (BLEDP).

Aim of the WWC:
The WWC is one project that consists of two linked elements:

• Provide workshop space for wood related enterprises;

• Create new visitor facilities at Maulden Wood, a popular attraction, acting as a hub for access and information.

It is hoped that this approach will both improve the visitor experience at Maulden Wood and help to stimulate the rural economy associated with woodlands and wood products, creating and sustaining local jobs and acting as an exemplar in positive woodland management and carbon reduction.

What we plan to do:

• Construct new multi-functional visitor facilities at Maulden Wood, including interpretation, cafe, shop, education and community facilities;

• Turn existing Forestry Commission sheds into workshop ‘incubator’ units for wood and woodland-related businesses, helping them get started and develop markets and supply chains through strong links with the visitor facilities;

• Stimulate sustainable woodland management across Bedfordshire (and beyond), for the benefit of biodiversity, access and the rural economy;

• Act as a demonstration ‘hub’ for carbon reduction and renewable energy use at both an individual and community level;

• Act as a focal point for access, linking with routes into Maulden Wood and providing information helping visitors to maximise the benefits from access to the site without damaging this fantastic resource;

• Provide opportunities for a diverse range of communities to engage in a woodland environment and take part in its management and learn new skills;

• Create an office and volunteer base for local charity the Greensand Trust;

• Enhance the appearance of the Deadman’s Hill Lay-by, reducing
anti-social behavior.

Location:
The Deadman’s Hill Lay-by is situated off the A6 between Bedford and Luton. It is adjacent to Maulden Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest, a 250 expanse of woodland and meadows.

Design and Layout:
The main Working Woodlands Centre will be situated in the lay-by, with the workshops situated a short distance away to the north-west end of the wood. The layout will take advantage of the wooded nature of the lay-by, creating an attractive setting for the Centre amongst trees and close to the main access into Maulden Wood. Improvements to the appearance of the lay-by, along with creation of staffed facilities, will provide a more welcoming experience for the visitor and help reduce existing problems of litter, car crime and other anti-social behavior.


It will demonstrate the benefits of locally sourced renewable fuels utilizing a woodchip boiler, supplied Maulden Wood and other local woodlands. Other environmental features will include a reedbed sewage system and rainwater harvesting.

To view the proposed layout please see the full report and click here.

Main criteria for the design:
Appropriateness – the design must be in keeping with the woodland surroundings, using materials that blend in and look attractive

Welcoming – the visitor centre element must be friendly and welcoming to all potential users

Robust and secure – the Deadman’s Hill lay-by has its problems, and the WWC must help to reduce them.

Sustainable – the facilities must incorporate renewable energy technologies and be highly energy efficient. An ideal would be for it to be powered by locally sourced wood.

Multi-functional – the facilities must suit a range of uses and users. These will include walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders, passing drivers (including HGV’s), educational groups and community groups.

Financially sustainable – the visitor centre will need to incorporate a cafe and retail shop to generate income that can then be re-invested into the project. The retail shop will be particularly important as it will provide the link with the ‘working’ side of the project – there will be locally produced wood products on sale, and opportunities for demonstrations by wood turners, carvers, furniture makers and other rural craftspeople.

Significant work has already been carried out to identify potential environmental and ecological impacts, to ensure that the WWC can be constructed with minimal disturbance and impact. Timing of construction is a very important consideration.

Next steps:
We are seeking assistance from to help us reach our goal. We have secured the land, planning permission and finally appropriate highways access and consents. We have raised £1.1m of the £1.5m required through a wide range of sources, including European funding. Our target has been set following a significant programme of re-designing and cost-cutting, so we know this is the absolute minimum required – any further reductions would undermine the viability of the Centre. We therefore are seeking partners to help us secure the final elements of funding to enable this important environmental and community project proceed, if you can help please contact Gill Welham or Jon Balaam at the address above, or email us.