Woodland Enterprise Centre

East Sussex County Council's national award-winning Woodland Enterprise Centre was opened in June 2003.

This formerly derelict 23 hectare site at Yellowcoat Wood, Flimwell was bought by the Council with £1 million funding from the UK Government's Rural Challenge. It is being developed by the Weald WoodNet Partnership, a joint venture between public, academic and private organisations. Council staff have provided the long-term vision for this project, creating the partnership, making external cash bids and carrying out various day-to-day tasks.

Services and aims

The site has a flourishing fence-making firm in the formerly derelict sawmill, and provides new office and meeting space. The building houses wood-related businesses.

The Centre shows how it is possible to build with the county's plentiful, small-dimension hardwood and demonstrates that heating with local wood fuel is a viable option.

The centre won a Civic Trust award for architecture and environmental design in 2003.