New woodland of 50,000 trees for Gateshead
Gateshead Council has successfully secured funding through the Trees for Climate programme, delivered by the North East Community Forest and funded by Defra, with support from England's Community Forests.
This funding will enable the acquisition of a significant site and the planting and long-term management of approximately 50,000 trees across 33 hectares — an area equivalent to 46 full-size football pitches.
The site on Garesfield Lane, between Winlaton and Rowlands Gill, became available as part of a wider farm sale. It's currently mainly grazing land.
The site also includes some ancient woodland - trees which have been on this site for hundreds of years.
There is a public right of way (PROW) through the existing woodland, which will of course be maintained to allow the public to enjoy the new woodland, with more paths added too.
The aim is to create a site with 60% woodland and 40% open land, including fantastic views across the surrounding countryside, and down the Derwent Valley - even as far as the bridges over the Tyne and the Newcastle Gateshead skyline.
Combining woodland with open land is designed to create a rich mosaic of habitats, boosting biodiversity, supporting a wider range of wildlife, alongside improving public access.
Every tree planted will be a native species.
Gateshead Council is part of the North East Community Forest initiative which is working regionwide to protect, maintain, restore, and increase woodland, tree, and hedgerow cover. In Gateshead, the target is to add 100,000 trees on council land by 2030, and increase woodland across the borough by an additional 250 hectares.
A 6ft high fence will be erected around the site to keep roe deer out, as they would be problematic for the young trees to be planted, but gates will be provided at regular intervals to allow public access.
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said:
"This is a brilliant new asset for Gateshead. Land that has previously been in private ownership will now be owned by the council, and we are adding 50,000 trees to make a massive contribution to our 2030 target where we are already way ahead of schedule.
"Planting trees on this scale makes a great contribution to protecting and enhancing the landscape, preventing flooding, and increasing biodiversity. The trees also absorb CO2 to help reach our climate goals - and they contribute to improving air quality.
"At a time of climate crisis, it's brilliant to have a site like this which not only has all these benefits - but also means an enhanced environment for the public to enjoy in a beautiful part of the borough."
Lloyd Jones, Forest Manager from the North East Community Forest said:
"This project is a fantastic example of how strategic investment in nature can deliver long-term benefits for people, wildlife, and the climate. We're proud to support Gateshead Council in creating a thriving woodland that will be enjoyed for generations."
An Environmental Impact Assessment has been completed by the council and the proposal has been approved by the Forestry Commission, this ensures that the new tree planting will not have any negative implications for wildlife or the wider landscape.