Two New National Forests bring Nature Closer to Communities

Labour announced two new national forests in England which will provide expanded access to nature for communities.

A new national forest will be planted in the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, and a competition will launch in early 2026 to determine the location of a third forest in the Midlands or North of England.

Mary Creagh MP, Minister for Nature said “A previous Labour government had this great vision of garden cities post World War 2. This Labour government is delivering on our promises on tree planting by creating forest towns which bring nature closer to people, green jobs closer to these new communities and help us tackle climate change. We are creating places and spaces where generations of people are going to build a home, bring up their families and where nature can thrive.”

This announcement would be part of Keir Starmer’s Cop30 offering in Brazil in November, which the Prime minister and Mary Creagh will be attending. “The world leaders’ are meeting at a forest COP in the Amazon. We are showing as a country we are stepping up.”

John Everett, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, welcomed the announcement on The Today Programme.

Mary Creagh MP planted the first tree in the Western Forest in March this year. This was the first new national forest in 30 years and it will stretch from the Cotswolds to the Mendips. This month’s announcement delivers on Labour’s manifesto commitment to create three new national forests.

The Labour government is creating spaces where families can walk, children can play, and nature can thrive. Through partnerships with local councils, landowners, and community groups the government will make sure these forests work for the people who live there.

Read more about the Oxford-Cambridge forest towns in The Guardian.