The West of England has beaten off stiff competition to become home to a brand-new National Forest set to transform the landscape.

The 2,500 hectare Western Forest, announced today, Friday 21 March, will see 20 million new trees planted by 2050.

Calling it an “un-be-leaf-able success”, Mayor Dan Norris said he was thrilled to bring home this green victory for the region.

One of Dan Norris’ first actions as Mayor back in 2021 was to launch the West of England Tree and Woodland Strategy setting ambitious targets to increase tree planting. Since then, his Mayoral Combined Authority has backed the Great Avon Wood and Lower Chew Forest which the Mayor says have been "fantastic building blocks for today's success."

Estimates show that the trees from the new woodland will absorb a staggering 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide while reducing flood risks, and bringing new jobs to the West.

Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said:

“Trees and woods are amazing! I love walking through them, as does Angel, my cocker spaniel. Back in 2021, I launched our region’s tree strategy. Since then, just through my Green Recovery Fund, we have planted 35,000 trees. But now we're really picking up the pace - this new forest will be 3,000 football pitches big.

“I am so pleased that our region will be home to this brand-new National Forest, thanks to major investment from the Labour government. I’m extremely proud that the West of England and our wider region were chosen to be the home of the very first new National Forest in 30 years. We beat off very stiff competition because of our impressive record of success in planting trees locally, our excellent partnership working, and the huge scale of our ambition.

“It means 20 million new trees. Oak, field maple, and sycamore galore! This is a massive vote of confidence in the West and puts us at the forefront of a greener, more sustainable future. The Western Forest will not only provide homes for our local wildlife but also places of solace, adventure, and inspiration for people from across the West of England and beyond, now, and just as importantly, for the generations to come.”

Over 70% of the Western Forest will be on agricultural land. This creates a big opportunity to back farmers across our region as they integrate trees into the farmed landscape. These trees will help regenerate the soil and reduce flooding.