Plans progress for new national forest in Midlands or North

The government has pledged up to £7.5m over five years towards creating a new national forest in England. 

Set to be located in either the midlands or the North of England, the development would become the third new national forest announced under Labour’s manifesto commitments. 

Organisations across eligible regions are being invited to bid to become the delivery partner responsible for helping establish and manage the project. 

Ministers said the forest could cover between 200 and 600 square miles, making it one of England’s largest woodland create schemes in decades. 

The government said the project would support national tree-planting targets while improving access to green spaces, particularly in poorer communities where access to woodland and parks is often limited. 

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said: ‘Too many communities can’t access the green spaces that benefit mental and physical health. This new national forest will help change that, and I encourage every eligible organisation with the vision and expertise to come forward.’

Research cited by the government links access to nature with improved mental health, lower stress levels and stronger social connections. Evidence also suggests green spaces can support cognitive development among children and young people.

The plans build on the success of The National Forest in the Midlands, where more than 10 million trees have been planted over the last 30 years. Woodland cover in the area has risen from 6% to more than 26%, with the visitor economy supporting more than 5,000 jobs.

National Forest Company Chief Executive John Everitt said: ‘Opening the competition for the third new national forest is a major milestone in accelerating our tree planting ambitions. We are looking forward to seeing some strong applications that can make a real difference for the health and wellbeing of communities across the Midlands and North of England.’

The announcement follows the launch of the Western Forest, where more than 20 million trees are due to be planted across parts of south-west England by 2050.

A competition to select a delivery partner for a second new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor has also recently concluded.

Image: Ian/UnSplash 

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