A council has won a £200,000 grant to put towards using local wood to create carbon zero homes.

Eastbourne Borough Council successfully applied to a Forestry Commission fund which supports projects to encourage active management of woods across the country.

According to the Forestry Commission, about 40 per cent on woodlands nationally are not actively managed.

Without management, woodland biodiversity can be negatively impacted.

The funding the council has received will be used to explore how local timber can be used to create commercial products for retrofitting housing.

 “This exciting project perfectly combines our management of the downland and woodlands around Eastbourne with our commitment to delivering zero carbon homes by 2030,” said Councillor Colin Swansborough, cabinet member for climate change.

“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.”

The core project team comprises the council, Woodland Enterprise Centre and University of Brighton, which is responsible for monitoring and managing the project.

If the project is successful, it could help local timber become a mainstream product in house building.