£500m Northern Forest starts to take root as first trees are planted
THE first of 50 million trees to make up a new “Northern Forest” were planted yesterday.
It is hoped the 120-mile woodland to run from Hull to Liverpool will boost habitats for birds and bats while protecting rare species such as the red squirrel.
Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, who is standing to be Sheffield City Region mayor, and Environment Minister Therese Coffey were among the planters who kick-started the £500m project on the hills above Bolton.
Ms Coffey said: “We’re proud to support the Northern Forest, a truly visionary project that will create a vast swathe of woodland from Liverpool to Hull, helping our precious wildlife to thrive and creating a natural environment for us all to enjoy.”
The Government announced its backing for the project in January alongside £5.7m in funding.
It forms part of Theresa May and Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s drive to boost the Conservatives’ green credentials.
The first trees were planted at the Smithills “urban fringe site” acquired by the Woodland Trust, which originally conceived the project.
CEO Beccy Speight said the North’s woodland cover was “woefully meagre” at 7.6 per cent, below the UK average of 13 per cent and 44 per cent in the EU.
“That’s significant, as investment in green spaces and trees in particular is shown to improve our health and wellbeing, create more prosperous communities and areas more resilient to the effects of climate change,” she added.
When the 25-year project is complete it will connect community forests in Leeds, South Yorkshire, Hull and the East Riding with those in Manchester and Merseyside.