Woodfuel South West

A new initiative to provide free advice, support and grant aid for wood heating installations has been launched in the South West. The service is managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy with financial support from Woodland Renaissance, the South West Protected Landscapes Forum, which includes the North Devon AONB, and the Forestry Commission.

The regional programme will provide free technical support to households, communities, schools, business and the public sector who may be considering a modern wood heating boiler system as an alternative to fossil fuels. A dedicated phone line has been set up, and suitable cases may be eligible for an on-site consultation visit from one of several renewable-energy experts involved in the scheme.

The aim of the project is to provide the forestry industry in the South West with an increased market for wood fuel. This will support the maintenance of the region’s biodiversity by expanding the amount of managed woodland. Significant areas of woodland can be found within the North Devon AONB notably along the Clovelly coast and the coastal valleys of the area, they are considered to be an essential component of the AONB landscape. Further positive outcomes of the scheme include an increase in renewable energy and decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, an improvement in the public awareness of the benefits of renewable energy and a step towards greater co-ordination of the woodfuel industry in the South West.

The project will help the South West develop a vibrant, commercial wood fuel heating and power industry that will make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions and maximise local benefits.

In addition to providing free advice and support to all sectors the service will be offering grants for projects located within participating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this includes the North Devon AONB. The grants, which form part of the Sustainable Development Fund operating in the regions Protected Landscapes, will be awarded to suitable projects on a first-come, first-served basis.

The project is very keen to hear from people within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty interested in installing wood heating.

View the Woodfuel Strategy Document Launched 28 March 2007.