Newark and Sherwood District Council invests in ambitious new Woodland

Two new accessible community woodlands are proposed. The first, located in Little Carlton, spans approximately 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 benefits of these new woodland areas are extensive. They 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.

Councillor Simon Forde, Portfolio Holder for Climate and the Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m really delighted that we’ve agreed to be a key funding partner in this fantastic initiative. 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.”

Nottinghamshire County Council has purchased the two sites at Little Carlton and Thorney Abbey Farm 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.

Councillor Forde continues, “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 6000 trees by 2023. Thanks to our great Environmental Services team we have reached 6324 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.”

In 2019, the District Council pledged to continue its tree planting programme, promising to plant at least 6,000 trees before 2023. This new project significantly amplifies that commitment as part of the District Council’s work towards a greener future for Newark and Sherwood.  Tree planting is just one part of the District Council’s commitment to achieve carbon net-zero by 2035 with other initiatives including using electric vehicles in its fleet, installing solar PV panels on its facilities and installing electric EV charging points in the district.