Millions of trees will be planted in our region thanks to crucial investment announced by the government on the 5th November. The plan to create a new forest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor will help restore nature for local communities and provide deeply needed regulation for our climate.
The precise location of the forest within the corridor is yet to be announced but will be decided in consultation with partners and is subject to design work.
Forests are essential homes for many plants and animal species, and their expansion will boost Britain’s biodiversity. The sheer level of investment demonstrates Labour’s commitment to providing vital green spaces for communities to enjoy.
The new forest will also play a role in driving economic growth – meeting the government’s tree planting targets across the country could result in over 14,000 new jobs.
The announcement follows the government’s commitment to create new forests in the West of England and the Midlands or North and delivers on the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to create a series of three new national forests across the country.
Daniel Zeichner MP has long been a strong proponent of nature-based solutions to restoring our environment and tackling the climate crisis, including while he was a minister in the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Welcoming the news, Mr Zeichner said:
“I am delighted that Labour's manifesto promise will deliver nature and environmental benefits in our part of the country.
It shows that you can have new development and recover nature, a winning combination.”
The MP anticipates that more information will be provided in the forthcoming Environmental Improvement Plan, which will set out the next stage of the UK’s ambitions for nature recovery.
