Delivery partners sought for national forest

The search for delivery partners for a new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor has begun.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has opened an Expression of Interest process.

Interested parties will need to demonstrate they have the capacity, experience, and knowledge to deliver the outcomes required, as well as expertise in large-scale woodland creation, community engagement, and cross-sector partnerships.

The national forest in the in the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor is the second of three national forests pledged in the government’s manifesto.

The new forests are designed to deliver national renewal for communities, driving economic growth while enhancing nature and bringing trees closer to where people live.

The government has committed to allocate over £1 billion this parliament to tree planting and support to the forestry sector.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said: “This is a landmark moment in delivering our manifesto pledge to create three new national forests. This new forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor will bring millions of trees closer to where people live, supporting wildlife and creating green jobs for local people.

“I urge organisations with experience in large-scale woodland creation and community engagement to submit their Expressions of Interest.”