Government commits £7.5 million to new Midlands or northern national forest

The news

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Monday that the government will provide up to £7.5 million over five years to support the new national forest. The project is expected to cover between 200 and 600 square miles in either the Midlands or north England. It forms part of Labour's manifesto commitment to establish three new national forests in England, following the Western Forest and the Oxford-Cambridge arc forest. Nature minister Mary Creagh stated that planting has already begun on the Western Forest, with more than 20 million trees planned across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset by 2050.

What's at stake

The new forest is intended to support healthy communities and increase access to green spaces. Defra has said too many communities currently lack access to the green spaces that benefit mental and physical health. The wider government commitment to tree planting totals £1 billion. A 2025 Woodland Trust survey of more than 2,000 people living in urban areas found that 88% believed everyone should have fair access to trees and the benefits they provide.

The project sits alongside existing efforts to expand tree cover. Coed Cadw, the Welsh Woodland Trust, has warned that some coastal towns face health and environmental risks due to low tree cover, with Holyhead judged to have 100% of its urban population exposed. The charity argues that up to 25% of urban areas should be covered by a canopy of mature trees to reduce air pollution and moderate temperatures.

The case for

New forests improve public health and nature recovery by providing accessible green space that supports mental and physical wellbeing. They create habitats for wildlife and biodiversity while helping to moderate urban temperatures and reduce air pollution. Comparable projects such as the Western Forest demonstrate the potential scale, with more than 20 million trees planned by 2050 across multiple counties. The new forest would extend these benefits to areas in the Midlands or north England where access to green space is currently limited.

The case against

The £7.5 million allocated over five years could instead be directed to more urgent public services facing immediate pressures. At a time when national government funding for environmental programmes is diminishing, critics argue that limited public resources should prioritise areas such as health, housing and social care. The scale of the proposed forest, between 200 and 600 square miles, would require sustained long-term investment beyond the initial five-year commitment.

Why it matters now

If the project proceeds, the new forest would add to England's three pledged national forests and form part of the £1 billion tree planting commitment. Organisations with relevant expertise have been invited to submit proposals. If the funding is redirected, the £7.5 million would remain available for other public spending priorities in the current parliament.

Further reading

forestryjournal.co.uk · BBC News

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