Working Woodlands, the organisation set up to revitalise Cornwall’s wood industry, is seeking to open up new opportunities.

David Danbury, director of Working Woodlands said the organisation is aware of two potentially huge markets for timber – affordable housing and heating – which are worth “serious money”.

He said: “We currently have access to Objective One funding from Europe which is matched 50/50 with UK government money under the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This gives us a window of opportunity while the money is available to make progress, and if we are successful we may get a two year extension for further funding.”

The organisation is already looking at the wood fuel potential in the south-west which is linked to the nationwide Forestry Commission project.

&#8220There is a great need for low cost housing in Cornwall and we want to move towards prefabricated wooden homes. We envisage using local wood and are trying to get local sawmillers to come on board.”

David Danbury Working Woodlands director.

Mr Danbury said: “We are working with a number of groups in the south-west to try and encourage people to install wood burning stoves and set up district heating schemes.”

As far as housing is concerned, Mr Danbury said: “There is a great need for low cost housing in Cornwall and we are trying to see if we can move towards prefabricated wooden housing that would be acceptable to the planning authorities. We envisage using local wood in the main and are trying to get local sawmillers to come on board.”