City of York Council is setting out proposals to create a new community woodland within York’s boundary – which could see 50,000 trees planted by 2023.

Using part of the existing £3m Northern Forest budget, agreed at Budget Council in February 2020, the authority would like to purchase 150 acres of agricultural land in the West of York, as well as 30 acres of land adjacent to the A1237 for additional tree planting.

Last July the council joined the Northern Forest initiative, whose main aim is to plant 50 million new trees across the north of England. The initiative is a partnership between organisations including Manchester City of Trees, Heywoods, the Mersey Forest, the Woodland Trust and the White Rose Forest.

The Northern Forest also provides a link into the funding opportunities available, potentially including the costs of land purchase, planting and maintenance and assistance in making bids for these funds.

Through this work the council will be supporting and demonstrating local leadership in creating a sustainable natural environment. This also enables the council to become involved in projects further afield, specifically the planting of 200 hectares in the Upper Swale, Ure and Ouse - so protecting York against severe flooding events.

Harnessing existing knowledge and expertise is an important part of the programme, in order to access and gain a wide range of advice throughout the various stages of the woodland design process, whilst also developing a lasting legacy for the next 150 years. To deliver this the council will be working with numerous groups, including the Woodland Trust, the Stockholm Institute, the Wildlife Trust, the University of York, St Nicholas Trust and the Wood Meadow Trust, as well as many other experts.

This will include providing advice on which species of tree should be planted, how to maintain these trees in the future and how to appropriately design amenity woodland to get the most out of the space.

Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Climate Change and the Environment, at City of York Council, said: 
“In 2019, we committed to the ambitious target of becoming net zero carbon by 2030.  Our ambition to plant 50,000 trees within the city boundary by 2023 aids in achieving this aim. The land identified will provide 150 acres of woodland – perfect for visitors and recreational users to enjoy.

“This new woodland will bring health and leisure benefits for residents and visitors, as well as significantly increasing biodiversity by turning farm fields into a fantastic local amenity of diverse broad leaf trees.

“Many organisations, including the Woodland Trust, have carried out numerous case studies highlighting the mental and physical health improvements woodlands are able to provide. It is estimated that £2.1 billion savings to the cost of running healthcare nationally could be made if every household in England were provided with good access to quality green space.

“Most importantly, it is a new wooded area we can all enjoy in our leisure time, which will increase the amount and quality of diverse habitats for our wildlife, whilst also improving the city’s air quality, with the woodland acting as a carbon sink absorbing some of the emissions produced in York.”

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport, said: 
“Creating opportunities for York residents to enjoy walking, cycling and visiting new woodland will have a long term and sustainable impact on the physical and mental wellbeing for generations to come and will deliver value for money in health economic terms. The new woodland will create jobs and provide new skill sets for a city wide ambition for green jobs across the broader region.”

The creation of new woodland will be done as part of a broader programme of carbon reduction.

The Climate Change Scrutiny Committee will be asked to scrutinise the draft policy and consider how the balance between the competing priorities and different expectations of green infrastructure across the community can be met. The Climate Change Scrutiny Committee will be asked to make recommendations to Executive as to how the new pollinator strategy and action plan can strike an appropriate balance.
Executive will be asked to agree to a high level vision for the woodland proposal, to inform the design and layout. This will be consulted upon as part of the early community engagement activity.

If approved, the council will explore a purchase of approximately 150 acres of agricultural land. Specific details of the asset and the value of the offer are both commercially sensitive until the contract for sale is completed, at which time details will be published.

The council would also like to acquire additional land adjacent to the Outer Ring Road to deliver an additional 30 acres and 8,000 trees.