Forest to get first extension in more than 200 years

Fields at Hoarthorns are set to be re-wilded as part of the woodland expansion

A 88 hectare (0.88 sq km) woodland is the first extension due to be added to the Forest of Dean in more than 200 years.

The site at Hoathorns, near Edge End in Coleford, was bought in December 2024 by Forestry England. A public consultation has now opened on plans for the site.

The land will support biodiversity, create habitats for wildlife, and eventually provide a sustainable source of timber.

"It's the first extension to the public forest estate in the Forest of Dean since 1817," said Forestry England's area manager Tom Brockington.

"We will be looking to create a mixed woodland and members of the public will be able to explore it."

The site was formerly a farm and is currently made up of arable and pastoral fields bordered by native hedgerows.

Early plans will link the new woodland to existing ancient ones.

Mr Brockington said it was a "really exciting location" for the new forest.

"This extension will connect ancient woodland to the isolated woodland that exists in the farm now," he said.

The current farm will be transformed into new woodland soon

A public consultation on the plans was launched on 6 May and will run until Sunday 1 June.

It is expected planting will begin in November and last until the end of March 2026.

Forestry England manages more than 1,500 woods and forests across the country and received over 285 million visits in 2023/24.

It plans to create at least 2,000 hectares of new, high-quality woodland nationally.