The Government has announced plans to create a third new national forest in England, committing up to £7.5 million in funding for the ambitious project. This landmark initiative aims to establish a vast green space spanning more than 200 square miles, significantly expanding natural habitats and bringing nature closer to communities across the country.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has called for delivery partners to submit bids, inviting organisations with expertise in environmental conservation and land management to help bring the vision to fruition. The chosen partners will be instrumental in designing, planning, and implementing the extensive tree planting and habitat creation necessary for the new forest.
This latest commitment builds on previous successful projects aimed at increasing England's tree cover and improving access to green spaces. The creation of national forests is a key part of the Government's broader environmental strategy, which includes targets for biodiversity net gain and carbon sequestration through natural solutions. The initiative is expected to contribute to the UK's climate change goals while also providing significant benefits for public health and wellbeing.
Environmental groups have largely welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of such projects for reversing biodiversity decline and creating resilient ecosystems. However, some have also emphasised the need for robust long-term funding and effective management to ensure the new forest thrives and delivers its full potential benefits. The location of the new forest has not yet been announced, with the bidding process likely to consider various factors including existing land use, community engagement potential, and ecological suitability.
The Labour Party's Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, expressed support for increased tree planting but urged the Government to ensure that new forests are genuinely accessible to all communities and contribute meaningfully to the UK's nature recovery targets, rather than just meeting headline figures. They also called for greater clarity on how local communities will be involved in the planning and ongoing management of the new forest.