National Forest to be planted in development zone

The government has pledged to created three national forests

A new "national forest" will be created in the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, the government has said.

Trees will be planted alongside new homes and businesses in locations yet to be decided, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Ministers said they would also look at bringing in a "woodland carbon purchase fund" as part of the target of reduce the UK's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

The government has pledged to plant millions of trees in three new national forests this parliament, including the west of England forest announced in March.

The third forest will be created in the Midlands or the north of England, ministers added.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "We are delivering on our manifesto commitment with three new National Forests.

"Planting is underway in the West Country, a second will be between Oxford and Cambridge and we will launch a competition for a third next year.

"Our ambitious tree planting programme will help unlock growth, restore nature and create green jobs for the future."

Friends of the Earth said it welcomed "ambitious projects to expand forest cover".

However, Nick Rau from the campaign group said: "While we celebrate new woodland in England, British companies and supply chains are still linked to forest destruction around the world."

Abi Bunker, Director of Nature Recovery at the Woodland Trusts said: "We welcome this announcement from government giving more details on its promise to invest in three new national forests and recognising the enormous value that trees and woods bring to all our lives.

"But as global climate negotiations at COP30 begin in Brazil, and the world is focused on how we can protect the world's most valuable remaining forests, this feels like a lost opportunity to demonstrate domestic leadership in the protection and restoration of the UK's own precious temperate rainforests."

A previous National Forest, covering parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, was planted in 1991.

The Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor involves plans for a direct rail link between the leading university cities, as well as the creation of thousands of new jobs and homes.