Horsham’s new Pavilions in the Park swimming and leisure centre is the largest local authority project in the world to be built with timber from independently certified sustainable sources, according to the WWF.
And the environmental group also claims Horsham district council to be the first local authority in the world to implement a pro-Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) policy.
More than £1m-worth of FSC certified timber was specified for the £14m complex, ranging from fixtures and fittings to the floors and massive canopy of barrel vaulted roof beams.
Rachel Hembery, WWF’s forest and government sector co-ordinator, said she often uses Horsham district council as an example of best practice in the area of timber procurement.
She added: ” At WWF, we believe that government should lead by example and ensure that timber comes from sources which have been independently certified under a credible scheme. “
