Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on the creation of the Western Forest.

In March 2025, the Government launched the first new National Forest in 30 years, the Western Forest. The forest will see 20 million trees planted across the West of England and create at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland, bringing nature closer to people, helping to prevent flooding, supporting wildlife, and contribute to our nature and legal environment targets.

As the accountable body for the Western Forest, the Forest of Avon Trust is working with the National Forest Company and regional partners, recruiting a strong team to mobilise the project, scoping the most suitable sites for the creation of the forest’s foundations, and raising awareness of the project across the region.