THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
  • Home
    • Covid Announcement
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us >
      • History
    • Awards
    • Bursary
    • Beech Cafe
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partnerships >
      • Onsite Partners
    • Site Map >
      • Map
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List
  • What's On
    • Evening Talks
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Talk & Tour
    • Art Exhibitions >
      • Past Exhibitions
      • Pete Levy
    • Room & Space Hire
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Courses
    • Adult Courses >
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Festive Fabric Crafts Course
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Felted Robin Workshop
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Advanced Knife Skills
        • Gate Hurdle Making Course
        • Pendant Carving Course
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Stool Carving Course
        • Trug Making Course
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Living Willow Tree Course
        • Willow Festive Decorations Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Garden Sculpture
        • Willow Garden Craft Course
        • Willow Weaving Weekend
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Forest School Taster Day
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
      • Health & Wellbeing Courses >
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Mental Health First Aid Course
        • Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
      • Nature Connection and Folklore Courses >
        • Art, Sound and Meditation Course
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Nature Led Meditation
        • Unwind in the Woods
      • Permaculture Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management
    • Online Experiences
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Large Groups
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Things to Do >
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
    • Accommodation COVID Information
  • Children's Activities
    • Wood Mouse Forest School
    • Family Holiday Activities >
      • Family Day Time Activities
      • Family Overnight Adventures
      • Advanced Wilderness Skills
  • Schools
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Day Trips
    • Residentials
    • Farm Tours
    • Saxon Experience
    • Forest School
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • We Can Come to Your School
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Training for Teachers
    • Meet the Team
    • Useful Information & Booking Forms
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies and Gifts
    • Donations
  • Our Future
    • Ready Steady Grow
    • New Learning Centre
    • South Downs Eco Lodge
  • Support Us
    • Cast Off
    • Friends >
      • Become a Friend
      • Friends Field
    • Business >
      • Business Friends
    • Leaves For Learning Appeal >
      • Fundraise for us
      • Hedgehog Eco Challenge
    • Gifts & Donations
    • Donation Form
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
  • Projects
    • Beekeepers
    • Chalk Grassland
    • Compost Toilet
    • Forest Gardening
    • Herb Garden
    • Permaculture
    • Straw Bale Solar Powered Showers
    • Solar Projects
    • South Downs Eco Lodge
    • Woodland Hall
    • Tree Bog
    • Wetherdown Lodge
    • Yurts
  • Eco Blog
    • Art & Craft
    • Grow Now
    • Health
    • On The Wild Side
    • Meditation
    • Painting as Meditation
    • Weave From The Hedges
    • Young People
  • Shop and Bookings
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Online T Shirt Shop
    • Online Eco Shop
    • Shop At The Centre

Wetherdown ​Lodge
​Stage 1

Wetherdown Lodge will never win any architectural awards. Indeed this ex-naval accommodation is typical of many utilitarian buildings of the 1960s which have since been torn down and rebuilt.

However, it's fundamental to our ethos that we first try to work with resources, rather than dispose of them. We also saw the potential for creating excellent new accommodation for people visiting the Centre, enabling them to spend longer with us. We therefore took the decision to embark on a total refurbishment, and create a model of sustainability in the process.

Features of the Refurbished Wetherdown Lodge
  • A biomass boiler (wood chip fuel) This provides all the hostel's heating and hot water. The wood chip fuel is supplied from nearby woodlands and is 100% renewable.
  • Sustainable external wood. All of the external wood cladding and window frames are made from softwood from sustainably managed forests.
  • A marmoleum floor. This floor lining is made from the natural materials of linseed oil, jute and chalk, and is very hard wearing.
  • Photovoltaic cells. These cells collect light energy and convert it into electricity which directly feeds the Lodge. The cells are an actual part of the roof as they integrate with the roof tiles.
  • A pitched roof with thermafleece insulation. The original roof was flat. By altering this to a pitched roof and then insulating it, we increase the energy efficiency and retain heat in the Lodge. The thermafleece lining is sheep's wool which is much less hazardous to lay, and also biodegradable when it needs to be discarded.
  • Recycled paint. As we redecorate we are using water based eco-paints.
  • Triple-glazed windows. Having three panes of glass increases the energy efficiency of the buildings and keeps heat in the hostel.

What We Have Achieved
The project has given an existing resource a new lease of life, as well as provided the Centre with an important asset. Crucially, our sustainable energy solutions have reduced energy consumption by a remarkable 80%. Much of the lodge's remaining energy needs are supplied by renewable energy.

Equally important is that Wetherdown Lodge shows what could be achieved with thousands of other schools, community centres, public buildings and housing. We have proved that it is more cost-effective, and clearly more sustainable, to improve rather than demolish.

This project has received support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.
The first phase of works was retrofitted in 2005 on a very modest budget to provide 38 bed hostel-type accommodation which will be priortised for school visits, group bookings.
 
Now for Phase 2 of the Building Works in 2020.
We were pleased to be pushing ahead with phase 2 which starts in 2020. We have with a local and experienced contractor – Ascia Construction delivering the construction works. They support our ethos, understand the needs of our customers and are experienced in working within school and community sites. Our project management team was drawn from our staff and Trustees working alongside and supported by local expertise.

​We hope that this eco retrofit build inspires others to transform their homes and existing buildings in a similar way. P
hase 2 of works completes the transformation of this former MoD accommodation block.
Phase 2
​
Picture

Earthworks Trust & Earthworks Foundation

​The Sustainability Centre is owned and operated by ​The Earthworks Trust (Charity No.1079866).
Our trading company is Earthworks Foundation. All profits go to support our charity The Earthworks Trust.

SITE VISITORS

Please be aware that our 55 acre site is privately owned. Customers and clients are welcomed at their own risk. All visitors are reminded that this is a countryside site and all tracks, paths and car parks are informal, uneven and may not all be suitable for people with mobility issues.
As we are located in the South Downs National Park dark skies zone, there is no lighting on site after dark.
We advise sturdy, appropriate footwear at all times and use of a torch at night.


​Charity Number ​​ 1079866

Picture

Main Address

The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR
01730 823166

Reception

01730 823166
​info@sustainability-centre.org

South Downs Eco Lodge & Camp Site

South Downs Eco Lodge
​The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR
01730 823549
​​accommodation@sustainability-centre.org

Cafe

01730 823755
infobeechcafe@gmail.com  

Burials

​01730 823425
​burials@sustainability-centre.org

Education

​01730 823166
​education@sustainability-centre.org

Courses

01730 823166
​courses@sustainability-centre.org

Contact Us

Join Mailing List

Leave Mailing List

Opening Hours

Whats On

Cafe

Events

Stay With Us

Vacancies

Support Us

Find Us

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
  • Home
    • Covid Announcement
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us >
      • History
    • Awards
    • Bursary
    • Beech Cafe
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partnerships >
      • Onsite Partners
    • Site Map >
      • Map
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List
  • What's On
    • Evening Talks
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Talk & Tour
    • Art Exhibitions >
      • Past Exhibitions
      • Pete Levy
    • Room & Space Hire
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Courses
    • Adult Courses >
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Festive Fabric Crafts Course
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Felted Robin Workshop
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Advanced Knife Skills
        • Gate Hurdle Making Course
        • Pendant Carving Course
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Stool Carving Course
        • Trug Making Course
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Living Willow Tree Course
        • Willow Festive Decorations Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Garden Sculpture
        • Willow Garden Craft Course
        • Willow Weaving Weekend
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Forest School Taster Day
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
      • Health & Wellbeing Courses >
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Mental Health First Aid Course
        • Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
      • Nature Connection and Folklore Courses >
        • Art, Sound and Meditation Course
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Nature Led Meditation
        • Unwind in the Woods
      • Permaculture Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management
    • Online Experiences
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Large Groups
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Things to Do >
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
    • Accommodation COVID Information
  • Children's Activities
    • Wood Mouse Forest School
    • Family Holiday Activities >
      • Family Day Time Activities
      • Family Overnight Adventures
      • Advanced Wilderness Skills
  • Schools
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Day Trips
    • Residentials
    • Farm Tours
    • Saxon Experience
    • Forest School
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • We Can Come to Your School
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Training for Teachers
    • Meet the Team
    • Useful Information & Booking Forms
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies and Gifts
    • Donations
  • Our Future
    • Ready Steady Grow
    • New Learning Centre
    • South Downs Eco Lodge
  • Support Us
    • Cast Off
    • Friends >
      • Become a Friend
      • Friends Field
    • Business >
      • Business Friends
    • Leaves For Learning Appeal >
      • Fundraise for us
      • Hedgehog Eco Challenge
    • Gifts & Donations
    • Donation Form
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
  • Projects
    • Beekeepers
    • Chalk Grassland
    • Compost Toilet
    • Forest Gardening
    • Herb Garden
    • Permaculture
    • Straw Bale Solar Powered Showers
    • Solar Projects
    • South Downs Eco Lodge
    • Woodland Hall
    • Tree Bog
    • Wetherdown Lodge
    • Yurts
  • Eco Blog
    • Art & Craft
    • Grow Now
    • Health
    • On The Wild Side
    • Meditation
    • Painting as Meditation
    • Weave From The Hedges
    • Young People
  • Shop and Bookings
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Online T Shirt Shop
    • Online Eco Shop
    • Shop At The Centre