UK to get a brand new National Forest with 20 million trees – the first in 30 years

The UK branches and creates a brand new National Forest that will be the first in the country for three decades.

The western forest will extend from the Cotswolds to the Mendips and 20 million trees will be planted, over 2500 hectares of new forest.

Work will be led by the forest of Avon and supported with an investment of five years of £ 7.5 million from the government.

Project leaders strive to ‘trees and forest’ much ‘closer to where people live’ with the Western forest to serve communities in Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon.

The West -Bos is also designed to “help the drive to net zero while economic growth is promoted,” the government said.

It is understood that jobs will be created in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the west of England during the project.

The West -Bos is the first of three planned national forests that the government is committed to creating in its manifesto.

The last forest that was planted in the UK was founded in the Midlands, in Leicestershire, Derbantshire and Staffordshire in the nineties.

The UK branches and creates a brand new National Forest that will be the first in the country for three decades (Stock Image)

Project leaders strive to bring ‘trees and forest’ much closer to where people live ‘with the western forest that serve in Bristol (shown above), Gloucester and Swindon

Mary Creagh, Minister of Nature, said: “We will plant 20 million trees in the western forest to bring nature closer to people, to prevent floods and support animals in the wild.”

Alex Stone, Chief Executive of Forest of Avon said: ‘The forest of Avon is pleased to have led a wonderfully diverse and committed partnership to bring the Western forest to life.

‘This is about resources, financing and expertise that comes directly to landowners, partners and communities and plant millions of trees in the right places.

“Together we will improve landscapes to enjoy everyone, improve the lives of our 2.5 million inhabitants and visitors to the region.”

National Forest Chief Executive John Everitt Obe said: “This initiative builds on the success of the National Forest in the Midlands, where planting more than 9.8 million trees has transformed the landscape, for the benefit of animals in the wild, communities and the economy.”