Forestry England hope to begin winter planting for new Clipsham Coronation Wood on Rutland and Lincolnshire border

Planting is due to begin to create 220 hectares of new woodland named in honour of King Charles III.

Forestry England announced plans in May 2023 for the first ‘Coronation Wood’ straddling the Rutland-Lincolnshire border to celebrate the coronation of the new king.

After a lengthy public consultation, a final design has been drawn up for Clipsham Coronation Wood, with planting to get under way this winter.

The woodland will be created on former farmland and will join up with existing Forest England sites of Pickworth Great Wood and Clipsham Park Woods to create a 433-hectare site.

As well as public access for visitors and a ‘valuable wildlife habitat’, it will aim to provide a sustainable source of timber for a green economy.

A number of amendments were made to the plans after concerns and comments from the consultation.

These include wider spaces between planting next to a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) and local wildlife site, the removal of an access point off Holywell Road, and different planting behind homes near Clipsham.

Changes have also been made to the proposed tree species - specially selected to stand up to future climate conditions - with a mixture of sessile oak and scots pine now to be planted in the red oak areas closest to the SSSI.

The altered plans were sent off to the Forestry Commission which must give its approval before work begins.

Forestry England has this month announced it will create new woodland on 219 hectares of land in north Lincolnshire near Brigg, and said it is in negotiations to buy further sites in the county.

It follows last month’s announcement that three other woodlands are to be created on 530 hectares near Lincoln.