PLANS to plant a new 51-hectare woodland in Buckinghamshire have been given the greenlight.

The new Wing Wood will see 132,000 trees planted in Wing as part of a joint project between Forestry England and Buckinghamshire Council, creating an "inspiring green space for local people, a valuable habitat for wildlife and a sustainable source of timber".

The decision follows a public consultation last year and local and national organisations were also involved in discussions over the woodland plan.

Wing Wood will include a mix of tree species suited to the locality, five new wildlife ponds and a community orchard as well as accessible paths for walking and cycling.

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Forestry England will begin planting this year and aim to get most of the trees in the ground before the end of April, with the rest planted in the autumn and winter.

Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “Not only will it provide an additional green space for people to enjoy, but it will also create a welcome new haven for wildlife, enhance and enrich the existing countryside and help us to work towards our net zero carbon goal for the future.”

The 132,000 trees will form part of the council’s pledge to plant 543,000 trees, one for every resident in Buckinghamshire by 2031, as part of its Climate Change Strategy.

As part of the woodland design, Forestry England hope to link the new Wing Wood with Long Spinney Wood, creating clear paths and an easy connection between the two areas.

Bethany Cambridge, head of Woodland Creation at Forestry England, said: “Expanding the nation’s forests is an important part of Forestry England’s work and is supported by the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund. We are delighted to be partnering with Buckinghamshire Council to grow an inspiring woodland for local people to explore and enjoy.”

Forestry England will hold volunteer planting days in the autumn for local people to help plant the community orchard trees and learn more about the woodland design and plans. News and updates on Wing Wood will be shared at www.forestryengland.uk/wing-wood-community-woodland.

Wing Wood is the second woodland Forestry England is creating through its Forestry England Woodland Partnership, which offers a guaranteed rental income to landowners in return for a long-term lease. York Community Woodland was the first site under the scheme and planting is well underway to create the 78-hectare woodland west of York.