1,900-Hectare woodland plan approved for Plymouth, Dartmoor and South Devon

A long-term plan to expand woodland and green spaces across Plymouth, Dartmoor and South Devon has been approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet.

The Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest Plan was formally agreed on 10 December and aims to create around 1900 hectares of new woodland and habitat across the area by 2050, increasing tree cover by about three per cent.

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Instead of a single block of trees, the forest will be a mosaic of woodland areas, hedgerows, habitat corridors, orchards and street trees that link towns, countryside and protected landscapes.

It will stretch from urban parks in Plymouth through to the uplands and commons of Dartmoor National Park and the surrounding rural districts.

The plan was developed by a partnership of local authorities and organisations, including Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, South Hams District Council, West Devon Borough Council, the National Trust, the Woodland Trust and Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Supporters of the community forest say it will provide a range of environmental benefits. 

Trees and woodlands can capture and store carbon dioxide, help reduce flood risk, improve soil and water quality, and create connected habitats for wildlife.

A key part of the plan is working with landowners, community groups and schools to plant and care for the new trees. 

Devon County Council say that “community engagement is key to the plan”, and estimate that more than 3,000 local residents a year could be involved in activities linked to woodland creation.

The initiative is also expected to support jobs and skills in forestry and green sectors, with early planning suggesting that up to 1,000 new jobs in woodland and forestry work could be linked to the community forest over time.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said the plan was a significant step for the county.

“This is a landmark moment for Devon,” she said. “The Community Forest will not only tackle climate change but also improve air quality, support wildlife and create spaces for people to enjoy. It’s about planting the seeds of a better future for everyone. By working together, we can make sure these benefits reach every community.”

Hodgson also said the initiative would help connect people with nature and provide places for walking, learning and green activities.

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The plan follows earlier consultation with local communities, and officials say there was strong support for the proposals, with no recorded opposition during the public engagement phase.

The Community Forest aligns with wider natural recovery and tree strategies in Devon, including the Trees for Devon Strategy and Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which set out county-wide priorities for habitat protection and expansion.

Work on planting and habitat restoration is already underway in parts of South Devon and the Plymouth area under the wider Community Forest partnership. 

Projects include tree planting at community sites, orchards, hedgerows and natural regeneration areas.

Officials say further consultation and detailed planning will take place in coming months to guide how the Community Forest is delivered on the ground.