National Policy
Key National Policies
The Environmental Improvement Plan is the first revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan. It sets a target to “Increase tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050”.
The Net Zero Strategy (2021) sets out policies for decarbonising the UK economy to meet net zero by 2050. A key commitment is to treble woodland creation rates in England, contributing to the UK’s overall target of increasing planting rates to 30,000 hectares per year by 2025.
The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. It states that “an approved Community Forest Plan may be a material consideration in preparing development plans and in deciding planning applications”.
Local Policy
Regional and local strategies, such as Climate Action Plans, Environment Strategies, Local Nature Recovery Strategies and Local Plans, set priorities for tree planting and woodland creation. There policies also promote the protection, enhancement and sustainable management of existing trees and woodlands in their areas.
The North East Forest Plan provides an overarching framework to deliver these ambitions, ensuring alignment and coordination across different levels of planning and supporting local action. By integrating with regional, local and place-based planning, the plan helps maximise environmental, climate resilience and nature recovery benefits.
To support this integration, the Forest Partnership brings together key stakeholders responsible for implementing these strategies. Through collaborative action, the plan guides how partners engage with local landowners, communities and environments to enhance, protect and expand the region’s treescapes.
Supporting Local and Regional Key Strategies and Policy Goals
Tree and woodland planting and management can cut carbon and support local education and employment. Contribute directly to the region’s net zero ambition.
Aligns with Mayoral Manifesto: developing a regional carbon offset market, expanding access to nature, enhancing community well-being, increasing tree planting and woodland cover, promoting sustainable local farming and food production, Enhancing landscapes and boosting rural and coastal resilience.
As a delivery partner, the North East Community Forest supports tree and woodland priorities, linking nature recovery with social and economic benefits across the North East.
Works within the seven local planning authorities. Embeds Forest plan objectives into Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans and supplementary policies. Ensures trees and woodlands are considered in land use decisions.
Aligns with local green infrastructure goals, promoting street trees, community orchards and connected treescapes in both rural and urban areas. Highlighting the multifunctional value of green infrastructure for public health and wellbeing, biodiversity, and environmental management.
Supports local policies focused on: protecting existing trees and woodlands, increasing canopy cover, and meeting legal obligations with best Arboricultural practice.
Three local LNRS cover the North East Community Forest area. The plan will support delivery of their woodland and hedgerow priorities and nature recovery ambition.
The plan aligns with the Northumbria and Humber River Basin Management plans and supports the goals of the Tyne Rivers Trust, Wear Rivers Trust and Northumberland Rivers Trust to improve water morphology, water quality, reduce flood risk and enhance the biodiversity through tree and woodland planting along waterways