A new national forest stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips is set to be created, the government has announced.
The Western Forest will see 20 million trees set to be planted across the West of England in the coming decades, creating at least 2500 hectares of new woodland.
The government manifesto committed to three new national forests and today’s announcement is a significant first step. The forest will serve over 2.5 million residents, bringing trees and woodlands closer to where people live, including in urban centres such as Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon.
The Western Forest will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s Community Forests supported by up to £7.5 million of government funding over five years alongside accelerating tree planting in local areas. The project will work to revitalise existing woodlands and other important habitats to create a forest network for people and wildlife at a truly landscape scale.
The new national forest will help the drive to net zero while promoting economic growth and creating jobs in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and across the west of England, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
The National Forest Company, which manages the National Forest, will provide expertise and mentorship to the Western Forest project team.
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