Competition launched for new national forest

Environment secretary Steve Barclay is to launch a competition for a new national forest to improve access to nature.

Communities will be able to nominate their local areas to become a new national forest. The winning area will receive up to £10 million to help fund the project.

The competition will build on the success of the National Forest in the Midlands, which spans 200 square miles across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.

Applications will be assess on how the new forest would transform the local area, create habitats for wildlife and open up access to the countryside, as well as help the country meet net zero targets.

Winners will be announced by autumn 2024.

Barclay said: "Public access to nature is so vital, which is why we pledged in our Environmental Improvement Plan that everyone should have access to green space or water within a 15-minute walk from their home – such as woodlands, wetlands, parks or rivers. This new forest for the nation will help make that happen.

"As a former Health Secretary, I have seen the benefits that nature has for people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Bringing these spaces closer to where people live and work is a key priority for me personally."