telegraph.co.uk - Sarah Knapton, Science Editor - 7 January 2018
A Northern Forest of 50 million trees is to be planted between Liverpool and Hull, the Prime Minister has announced. Over the next 25 years, a vast swathe of woodland will be created over an 120 mile area to improve the environment and help prevent 190,000 homes from flooding.
On Sunday, Defra pledged an initial L5.7 million to launch the scheme which will be administered by The Woodland Trust and the Community Forest Trust and is expected to cost L500 million in total.
Theresa May told BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show: “It’s going to take time to plant the millions of trees that will be needed in order to develop this national forest, so it’s not a short term thing that’s going to happen, but the commitment is there.”
The plans, which will see 62,000 acres of woodland planted before 2050,  is expected to generate L2 billion for the economy through tourism, and by boosting rural business and generating jobs.
It is also likely to increase property values and reduce the economic impact of flooding.
The Northern Forest forms part of the Government’s long-awaited 25-year environment plan.
It is hoped Whitehall funding to kick-start planting will encourage private landowners to also sign up to the project.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Trees are some of our most cherished natural assets and living evidence of our investment for future generations.
“Not only are they a source of beauty and wonder, but a way to manage flood risk, protect precious species and create healthier places for us to work and live.
“This new Northern Forest is an ambitious and exciting project that will create a vast ribbon of woodland cover in northern England stretching from coast to coast, providing a rich habitat for wildlife to thrive, and a natural environment for millions of people to enjoy.”
The Northern Forest will connect the five Community Forests in the north of England, the Mersey Forest, Manchester City of Trees, South Yorkshire Community Forest, the Leeds White Rose Forest and the HEYwoods Project, with woodland created in and around major urban centres such as Chester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Manchester.
Woodlands will be a mix of native broadleaf trees such as oaks and conifers including spruce and pine, and will be targeted at areas where they can boost health and wellbeing.
Planting will begin in March at the Woodland Trust’s 1,680 acre site at Smithills, Bolton, which is also supported by money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Austin Brady, director of conservation at the Woodland Trust, said: "The Northern Forest will accelerate the creation of new woodland and support sustainable management of existing woods right across the area.
"Planting many more trees, woods and forests will deliver a better environment for all - locking up carbon on a large scale, boosting wildlife habitat and greening our towns and cities.
"The Woodland Trust and Community Forests will use new and innovative mechanisms to engage communities and a wide range of partners in delivering the forest."
The forest will also help tackle climate change and improve the environment by soaking up emissions and carbon dioxide.
Paul Nolan, Director of the Mersey Forest added : “We have shown that we can lock up over seven million tonnes of carbon as well as potentially reduce flood risk for 190,000 homes."
The announcement was welcomed by green campaigners.
Friends of the Earth Senior Nature Campaigner, Paul de Zylva, said: “England is one of the least wooded nations in Europe, so government backing for the new Northern Forest is extremely welcome.
“Well-managed woodland brings numerous benefits from absorbing carbon and helping to prevent flooding to aiding public recreation and learning, as well as the pure enjoyment of the outdoors."