A New Community Woodland for our Parish
Updated: 20/10/2021
A master plan for the design of the new Community Woodland has been approved by the Executive of City of York Council. In total it is planned to plant 80,000 trees of which 50,000 are hoped to be planted within the next year, thus helping York in its net zero carbon ambitions. The Woodland is to be interspersed with wildflower glades, footpaths and cycle rides. A Visitor Centre may be added at a later date.
It has been agreed that Forestry England will manage the entire project on behalf of CYC.
Peter Rollings, Chairman of the Parish Council, along with Councillor John Flynn met with Cllr Paula Widdowson, the Executive Member of CYC responsible for the project, to address a number of concerns over, amongst others, parking, security and safety, bins, and toilets. It was confirmed that none of these issues had, as yet, been finalised and we were promised that the Parish Council would be fully involved with Forestry England in the detailed delivery of the Woodland.
Specifically on parking, it is intended to provide provision in the Woodland near the lay-by on the B1224, with additional facilities at the end of Northfield Lane but, as stated, full details have yet to be finalised.
It is important to stress that this is a long-term project and due to the amount of land work to take place and the need for establishment of the trees access to the public will not be available for many years yet.
Updated: 17/05/2021
City of York Council are still seeking the views of residents and local organisations on their plans and ideas for York Community Woodland, and have recently extended the survey deadline to 26th May 2021.
Have your say by completing their short online survey. The will use the feedback received to make recommendations to the council’s Executive about:
- A final ‘community owned’ woodland vision
- The final woodland design plan
- How residents and local groups can be actively involved in creating the woodland
- How people can be involved in the woodland’s ongoing management
As a part of the consultation, residents are also invited to suggest possible names for the new woodland that reflect the heritage of the local area and tie in with the project’s ambitions.
Updated: 15/04/2021
York Community Woodland have launched the co-design phase of this project with the public being invited to view the Woodland concept designs and provide feedback. This consultation is open until 19th May so please have your say by completing their online survey or alternatively let us know if you have any issues that you would like us to pursue on your behalf.
Updated: 29/03/2021
The Parish Council have been invited to join a Stakeholder Advisory Group which is to assist in the design and delivery of the Community Woodland in the Parish. Councillor John Flynn is our representative on this group.
The first meeting of the group was held on the 16th of March when we heard of preliminary site investigation work and analysis. A number of designs for the woodland are being drawn up and these will shortly go out to public consultation, which will provide you with the opportunity to make your views known.
Original Post: 16/11/2020
City of York Council have announced the purchase of land West of Knapton for the purpose of creating Community Woodland. This is a significant part of the Council’s plan for York to become carbon neutral by 2030. It is anticipated that over time 50,000 trees will be planted over the next few years, and plans include a children’s play area, wildflower meadows, footpaths and trails and a café area.
The land concerned can be seen on the Map, outlined in red. No detailed plans on layout and design have yet been formulated. City of York Council’s lead on Climate Change, Cllr Paula Widdowson spoke to the Parish Council at our last meeting at which the Parish Council requested representation on any steering group responsible for developing the detailed plans. We have been promised full consultation at all stages of the project.
We believe that this project will be of overall benefit to the Parish but as always it is the detail that is important.
We will endeavour to update this article as the project progresses. In the meantime, you can find out more or register for regular updates on the City of York Council website.