Forest Plan For Sandridge

Great news as the Woodland Trust proposes a big new forest. At 850 acres it'll be the largest new native forest in England.

Stop Press: The Woodland Trust has finalised details of another public meeting, this time for Harpenden: Tuesday 16th September at 8pm, Methodist Church Hall (capacity 160 seated) AL5 1PD

See Daily Mail article here, and Herts Advertiser here, as well as a BBC movie here.

First Public Meeting (5th August)
Packed village meeting heard the Sandridge Forest plans from the Woodland Trust

Sandridge village hall was packed to capacity at this public meeting organised by the Woodland Trust.

“The public reaction was overwhelmingly positive,” said Woodland Trust project manager Toby Bancroft. “Obviously people have concerns for such a big project close to their homes and the village. We were able to reassure the vast majority of those who attended that our commitment is to keep disruption to village life at a minimum whilst delivering the huge benefits that this new forest will bring, for people and wildlife.”

Several dozen people had to be turned away at the door, but the Trust has apologised to those people, and acknowledged the huge interest locally. There are plans to hold further public consultation meetings very soon; another for Sandridge, near St Albans, plus meetings in Wheathampstead and Harpenden, with dates and venues yet to be announced. Details will be posted on public notice boards in the area and here.
Stop Press: The Woodland Trust has finalised details of another public meeting, this time for Harpenden: Tuesday 16th September at 8pm, Methodist Church Halls (capacity 160 seated)
14 Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD
Woodland Trust contacts:  Nick Morgan  Regional Development Officer or call 07979 313285
Also Project Manager Toby Bancroft m 07770 231558

There was also one on 14th August 2008, at Marshalswick Community Centre

Toby Bancroft and the Trust’s regional development manager Nick Morgan presented the Trust’s plans for the site at the meeting, before taking questions from the floor. Topics ranged from when the Trust will actually take ownership, access to the site and the linking of existing footpaths, to the impact on the village of the proposed public tree planting events and the number of people that might bring into the area.

“Our immediate challenge is to raise the £8.5 million needed to buy the site, plant trees and manage it for the next five years,” said Toby. “We can then start planning in details like access routes, and will consult widely with local people.

“The Trust has a long and successful history of organising public tree planting events and we are confident that this can be managed without causing nuisance or disruption. This might be through a park and ride bus service for those wanting to come and plant trees with us,” he explained.

“Our plans are not to plant a thick blanket of forest, but for native British broadleaved trees to surround open spaces and wide pathways. The new forest will still make for a splendid landscape and one that will really encourage a growth in wildlife,” he said.

The Woodland Trust need to raise £8.5million by the end of September, so a lot of fund-raising needs to be done if it’s going to happen. You can donate online to The Woodland Trust here.

Woodland Trust Documents
Press Realease 28 July 2008 (word 159k)
Consultation Letter 28 July 2008 (word 101k)
Information Sheet with pictures (word 418k)
Forest Map (gif 34k)

More details will follow here.

Forest Facts, the new Sandridge Forest will be:
Bigger than Whipsnade Zoo (600 acres)
Bigger than Sherwood Forest Country Park (450 acres)
Bigger than Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens combined (625 acres)
Twice the size of Regents Park (410 acres)