Posted on 19th Feb
Newark and Sherwood District Council has agreed to part-fund an ambitious project to create the largest woodland in the area in decades.
It will see the planting and maintenance of up to 114,000 trees, transforming the district’s landscape.
Two new accessible community woodlands are proposed. The first, located in Little Carlton, spans around 18 hectares and will host around new 27,000 trees. The second, at Thorney Abbey Farm, near Southwell, will feature a range of habitat restoration efforts and accommodate around new 87,000 trees.
The woodland areas will enhance habitat connectivity, increase residents’ access to green spaces, and link several local woodland pockets. Additionally, the project promises improvements in air quality, natural flood management, noise reduction, biodiversity gains, and the creation of new wildlife corridors.
Coun Simon Forde, portfolio holder for Climate and the Environment at the council, said: “By collaborating with our partners at Nottinghamshire County Council, we will plant up to 114,000 more trees in the district.
“Even better, these woodland spaces will be fully accessible for our residents, allowing them to get out into nature and explore our lovely countryside.”
The county council has bought the two sites through the Trees for Climate project and the district council has agreed to fund 30% of the 114,000 trees that are due to be planted.
Coun Forde added: “We have long been committed as a district council to planting more trees as part of our efforts to combat Climate Change. We had a target of planting or giving away 6,000 trees by 2023.
“Thanks to our great Environmental Services team, we have reached 6,324 trees since 2022 alone. But these two community woodlands are a real step-change.
“Not only is planting 114,000 trees good for our natural environment, but opening up new woodlands and countryside benefits our residents.”
