Forestry England buys land for new woodland

The new woodland is one of many Forestry England is creating across the country

Forestry England has bought a 66-hectare (0.25 square miles) plot of land in Kent to create a new woodland.

The land is 10 miles (16.1km) west of Ashford, near Smarden, and Forestry England will now begin surveying the site before creating initial designs.

Dan Whyment, forest management director, said: "We now begin the exciting work of creating a beautiful, resilient woodland that will fit well with the other forests we manage in this part of the county of Kent."

Forestry England will invite local people to share their views to help shape designs for the new woodland ahead of a wider formal public consultation in spring 2026.

The government-sponsored agency said it would carefully choose tree species for the new site so they would be resilient to future climate conditions as they grow.

"The new woodland will be planted with a mix of tree species providing a rich habitat for wildlife, a beautiful space for people to enjoy and a sustainable source of timber," Forestry England added.

The new woodland is one of many Forestry England is creating across England to expand the nation's forests, with support from the government's Nature for Climate Fund.