Said to become England’s largest commercial forest in decades, the 290-hectare Greencroft Forest Park plantation will sequester 70,500 tonnes of carbon, improve local biodiversity and help mitigate flooding by reducing river levels by up to 10%. The carbon captured is not being sold for credits, instead the project is designed to provide a source of commercial timber to help decarbonise the building industry.

Spearheaded by the UK-based real assets fund manager, True North Real Asset Partners the new commercial forest is expected to produce sustainable timber by 2045, whilst supporting various community and educational engagement programs, walks and public access. In the first rotation, True North have estimated production to equal a total of 110,000 tonnes of timber.

Planting is planned to start this winter and will include 31 different tree species such as oak, birch, willow and hornbeam. Oak will form the largest percentage of native/naturalised broadleaved trees. Sitka spruce, Scots pine and yew will be among the conifer varieties. Juniper Forestry has been been contracted to manage planting and forestry on site.

Harry Humble, chief executive of True North, said: “We are delighted that consent has been granted for the Greencroft Forest Park. It is a historic moment for the county.. We have invested heavily in understanding the ecology and heritage of the estate and canvassing local opinion. All of this informs the final design that has now been approved. We are looking forward to getting the forest planted and delivering something that our neighbours in Lanchester and Annfield Plain can enjoy for decades to come.”