Date published: 2025-03-24 | Category: Climate Emergency, Delivering for local residents, Ecological Emergency Action Plan, Preparing for the Future, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency
Woodlands and tree habitats will be planted in both urban and rural settings across Bath and North East Somerset as part of a new national forest that will help to drive nature recovery and improve climate resilience.
The new Western Forest project, announced by the government on Friday (21 March), will see at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland and other tree habitats created in the first five years, with 20 million trees to be planted by 2050 across the west of England by 2050.
The Western Forest will be the first national forest to be created for 30 years and will stretch from the Cotswolds to the Mendips and span Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the west of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset).
The project will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s Community Forests, and supported by up to £7.5 million of government funding over the next five years as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
It is the result of a successful regional partnership bid led by the Forest of Avon with support from the Natural History Consortium, the region’s councils and Great Western Community Forest, with more than 40 organisations lending their support.
Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “We are proud to have successfully collaborated with our regional partners to put forward this proposal. The Western Forest represents a fantastic opportunity to foster collaboration between local communities, businesses and landowners to drive nature recovery and improve climate resilience across our region.
“The forest will support our nature targets by accelerating tree planting and helping to halt the decline of species and protecting land for nature. It will also help with our ambition to be net zero by 2030.”
Alex Stone, chief executive, Forest of Avon Trust, said: "The Forest of Avon is thrilled to have led a wonderfully diverse and engaged partnership to bring the Western Forest to life. This is about resource, funding and expertise coming directly to landowners, partners and communities, planting millions of trees in the right places. Together, we will enhance landscapes for all to enjoy, improving the lives of our 2.5 million residents and visitors to the region
“Encompassing two of England’s Community Forests and working alongside the National Forest Company and Defra, the Western Forest will enhance, connect and improve our urban and rural landscapes, support investment into the region, create jobs and skills opportunities and bring the endless benefits we get back from planting and caring for our trees. It is a very exciting time for this region, and we look forward to helping shape what the Western Forest will become."
Savita Willmott, Chief Executive of the Natural History Consortium, said: “The new national forest will serve over 2.5 million local residents, and we will put people and wellbeing at the heart of our transformation plans. Our Western Forest will support communities across our urban centres including Bristol, Bath and Swindon. Our priorities for improving access to nature will boost health as well provide thousands of opportunities for building green skills, volunteering and supporting the regional economy in local areas. We can’t wait to get started!”
ENDS