Oxford-Cambridge corridor to get new national forest as part of £1 billion investment in sector
A new “national forest” has been approved for the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.
The government said it comes as part of a £1bn investment in tree planting.
A competition will also be launched in 2026 to select another forest site in the Midlands or the north of England.
Investment in the forestry sector is part of the government’s manifesto commitment to establish three national forests in the country.
The first of the new forests was announced in March, stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips in the west of England.
Millions of trees will be planted in new forest areas as part of this parliament’s pledge to invest £1 billion in tree planting and support for the forestry sector.
Forests will revitalize communities and spur economic growth, officials said, while also enhancing nature and bringing trees and woodlands closer to where people live.
The Department for the Environment (Defra) said meeting tree planting targets as part of efforts to tackle climate change and restore nature could result in the creation and support of more than 14,000 jobs.
The government will also consider creating a “woodland carbon buy-in fund” that would offer upfront payments to landowners to plant carbon-rich woodlands to help meet the target of reducing UK emissions to zero overall by 2050, known as net zero.
Making the announcement ahead of the Prime Minister’s trip to the latest UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil, Environment Minister Emma Reynolds said: “Our woodlands are vital to regulating our climate, supporting wildlife and increasing access to nature for us all.
“We are delivering on our manifesto commitment with three new National Forests: tree plantings are underway in the West Country, a second will be between Oxford and Cambridge and we will launch a competition for a third next year.”
“Our ambitious tree planting program will help unlock growth, revitalize nature and create green jobs for the future,” he added.
The exact location of the “Ox-Cam” national forest will be subject to design study and negotiation with partners, officials said.
The corridor, which aims to connect leading university cities to create a zone of economic growth and innovation, will see new homes, workplaces and infrastructure, as well as designed green areas.
