Four new woodlands to be created

One of the proposed sites is in Cadney, North Lincolnshire

Four new woodlands are to be created to increase the number of trees in Lincolnshire.

Forestry England has bought about 965 hectares (2,380 acres) of land at Cadney, North Carlton, Newball and Mickleholme on which it intends to plant trees and shrubs.

Lincolnshire is one of the least wooded counties in England, according to Forestry England.

Regional director Paddy Harrop said: "It really is about helping to provide more public access for those small rural villages that often don't have a lot of public green space."

Forestry England says the land purchased for the woodlands is lower quality agricultural land

Forestry England is part of the Forestry Commission, and is responsible for managing woods owned by the government.

The new woodlands will be able to be accessed by the public, but will also create new habitats for nature, as well as resources of sustainable timber.

Different varieties of trees and shrubs will be planted in each woodland, which will be appropriate for the area.

The sites are part of a wider project to grow the nation's forests, which is supported by the government's Nature for Climate Fund, set up in 2022.

Tree planting at the Cadney site is expected to begin during winter 2026/27

Mr Harrop said Forestry England had incorporated feedback from local residents into the final plans for the 228 hectare woodland planned for Cadney.

"Examples of this would be leaving land closer to the village itself a little bit more open," he said.

"We're also not going for huge recreational facilities that might draw in lots of visitors.

"We don't think that would be the right thing to do in this place, and that's kind of what local people have told us as well.

"It will just be very informal recreation, so people will be able to go and walk their dogs, go for a run, that kind of thing."

Mr Harrop said the land chosen was of a lower agricultural quality and "not the best for producing crops on".

Work will begin on preparing the Cadney site between now and autumn 2026, with tree planting due to start during winter 2026/27.

Planting at the Newbald, Mickleholme and North Carlton sites is due to start this winter.

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