A new 25 year programme designed to bring more trees, better woodlands and healthier green spaces to Plymouth and South West Devon has been officially adopted.
Spearheaded by Plymouth City Council on behalf of a multi-agency collaboration that makes up the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, the plan will significantly increase tree cover by creating 3,000 hectares of new woodland and planting nearly 6,000 individual trees in streets, parks and gardens across Plymouth and nearby towns.
These new trees will help cool neighbourhoods, improve air quality, increase biodiversity and contribute to climate resilience and will be planted in ways that prioritise neighbourhoods with low existing tree cover and places where people currently have limited access to nature.
Earlier this week, England’s Community Forests network welcomed parliamentarians and partners to a special reception at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion to celebrate the plan alongside the publication of 25-year plans for each of the 14 other UK Community Forests.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “I am very proud to launch this important strategy which will shape tree planting and green spaces across the region for the next quarter of a century.
“The community forest represents a fine example of what local government can achieve in the natural environment.
“Since its inception just four short years ago, we have gone from strength to strength and this plan presents an even brighter future.”
The Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest stretches from the South Devon coast, across Plymouth and onto to the rolling landscape of Dartmoor National Park creating a mosaic of orchards, hedgerows, areas of natural regeneration, native broadleaf, and productive woodland.
Unlike traditional forests, the community forest isn’t geographically restricted to one place. Instead, it encompasses a mix of community woodland, private woodland, on street, urban woodland, wooded habitat corridors and hedgerows.
Beyond new planting, the new plan seeks to improve the health of existing woodland by supporting all woods being brought into sustainable management by 2050.
This includes restoring ancient woodlands that have been damaged in the past, improving planted ancient woodlands so they once again support richer wildlife, and managing public access so people can enjoy woodlands safely and responsibly.
Communities will be at the heart of this work. At least 3,000 people each year will take part in planting days, woodland care, training, events and local green‑space projects.
Young people will have key roles through the Forest Rising programme, which offers skills training, hands-on experience and a say in shaping local tree planting.
The plan also aims to boost local employment by supporting 1,000 woodland and forestry jobs. This includes training tree growers, woodland managers, timber workers, rangers and green‑skills apprentices.
Finally, delivery will rely on strong partnerships. Councils, the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Dartmoor National Park, landowners, farmers, businesses, community groups and volunteers will all work together to achieve the plan’s ambitions.
The community forest is a partnership between Plymouth City Council, National Trust, Woodland Trust, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon County Council, South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council. Its work is is funded through the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs’ Trees for Climate Fund.
Read the full plan at: https://psdcf.com/forest-plan-2025-2050
