England’s next national forest will be created in the Midlands or the North after the government committed up to £7.5m to support the project.
The new forest is expected to cover between 200 and 600 square miles and forms part of Labour’s manifesto commitment to create three new national forests in England.
Eligible organisations across the Midlands and North are now being invited to bid to become the delivery partner, with the first stage of the competition opening today and closing on 7 July.
Ministers said the new national forest will focus strongly on health, particularly in communities with poor access to green and blue spaces.
The government says access to woodland can improve mental health, increase physical activity, reduce stress, support children’s development and strengthen community connections.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said: “In our manifesto we promised three new national forests, and after the Western Forest and the OxCam arc forest we’re looking for England’s newest forest in the Midlands or the North.”
She added: “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.”
The government said the project will support long-term tree planting targets while fitting into the existing landscape and identity of the chosen area.
Delivery partners will work with Defra and the National Forest Company to establish the site and deliver economic, environmental and social benefits.
John Everitt, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said opening the competition was “a major milestone in accelerating our tree planting ambitions”.
The government pointed to the existing National Forest in the Midlands as proof of what can be achieved, with 10 million trees planted, woodland cover rising from 6% to 26% and more than 5,000 visitor economy jobs supported.
The new funding forms part of more than £1bn being invested in tree planting and forestry this Parliament.
The policy is designed to support the Environment Act target to increase tree canopy and woodland cover in England to 16.5% by 2050.
Planting has already begun at the Western Forest, which will see more than 20 million trees planted across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset by 2050.
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