In 1997, the National Coalfields Programme was established by English Partnerships, working with other agencies, such as Yorkshire Forward (the regional development agency), and their delivery arm – Renaissance South Yorkshire. Objective 1 funding was the main source of capital for this project, with the aim of greening more than 1,800ha of brownfield sites associated with coal mining, within the South Yorkshire area.
This major initiative takes place in former coalfield communities across England and creates new employment, homes, leisure facilities and public space.
The sites are now leased from Yorkshire Forward by the Land Trust, whose aim is to improve the environment and quality of life for communities by providing long-term sustainable
management of public spaces across England. Within South Yorkshire the Forestry Commission manages some the new Community Woodlands on behalf of The Land Trust.
The Forestry Commission has played a key role in the restoration, establishment of community greenspace, aftercare management and community engagement on sites within South Yorkshire. South Yorkshire Coalfields - Engaging coalfield communities (PDF 119kb)
To date the Forestry Commission has been involved with the following sites, and now continues to manage these sites on the behalf of the Land Trust.
- Bentley 93ha
- Thunscoe 66ha
- Brodsworth 99ha
- Dinnington 26ha
- Kiveton 47ha
- Cudworth 60ha
The key roles have involved:
- Providing restoration advice and guidance to partners and project managers.
- Supervising and monitoring restoration, infrastructure construction and greenspace establishment.
- Managing aftercare contracts.
- Carrying out widescale community engagement and educational activities
- Providing staffing to patrol and manage sites and work with local communities.
