NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK WINS WOODLAND JACKPOT

Northumberland National Park has more winners than any other national park in England, with a total of eight.

Landowners bid for grants in a competitive tendering process and successful bids are chosen after an assessment of the public benefits that the new woodlands would deliver, and their value for money.

The successful bids are:

Chirdon Farm, near Bellingham (5 ha), Low Eals, near Falstone (6 ha), Whiskershiel, near Elsdon (6 ha), Stannerhaugh, near Falstone (2 ha), Pawston, near Wooler (5 ha), Linhope (Hartside Hill), near the Ingram Valley(5 ha), The Newton, near Bellingham (nearly 20 ha) and Scrainwood, near Netherton (12 ha).

Commenting on the award, Stuart Maidment, from the Forestry Commission's Conservancy in the North East, said:

"I am absolutely delighted with the results of this year's Challenge Fund. Our recent survey showed that broadleaf cover in Northumberland has expanded by 50% over the past 20 years, and this scheme can only help further.

"These new areas of native woodland will enhance the National Park landscape, and enrich the diversity of our wildlife habitats for many generations to come. They will also complement the felling and replanting being carried out in Kielder Forest - England's largest woodland managed by Forest Enterprise."

Elaine Rigg, Team Leader of Natural Environment at Nothumberland National Park said:
"The Challenge Fund scheme has proved to be just what we needed in Northumberland, and the news of this year's successes is excellent. The 60 hectares of new native woodland will make a significant contribution towards the Parks's target for native woodland creation and will also benefit farmers, wildlife and visitors to the Park. Long may the Challenge continue!"
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
1. Landowners in the Northumberland National Park who wish to tender for next years round should contact the Forestry Commission on tel: 01434 605555 to discuss their proposals.
2. The Challenge Fund for New Native Woodlands in National Parks is an extension of the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme, which makes grants to help owners to establish, manage, improve and restock woodlands. The Challenge Fund will run for one more year.
3. The Forestry Commission is the Government Department for forestry in Great Britain. Forest Enterprise is an executive agency of the Commission that manages the Commission's own woods and forests on behalf of the nation.
4. The National Park Authority works with landowners and agencies to conserve and enhance the landscape and biodiversity of the Park. It is the intention of the NPA and it's partners to secure more planting of new native woodland as a key part of this strategy.
5. For further information about the Forestry Commission visit our website on www.forestry.gov.uk
Media enquiries: Stuart Maidment, North East England Conservancy tel: 01223 314546