Hole Farm – Your future local woodland
A new Community Woodland is planned at Hole Farm, in Great Warley near Brentwood, Essex
Hole Farm will be a 95 hectare site sitting alongside the M25 at the northern end of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing. It will provide a green space for everyone to enjoy – as well as offering a home to local wildlife.
Read more from Forestry England.
Work is expected to start on the new facilities in 2024, and open to the public in summer 2025. Constructing the new facilities will embody National Highways’ commitment to using a local workforce and pushing the boundaries of low-carbon construction. The work will be carried out by small- and medium-sized businesses from within 20 miles of the woodland, and the site will be diesel-free as hydrogen, electric, and other low-carbon fuels are used to power the machinery and equipment.
Proposed design
Forestry England has announced it has been given the green light to provide the proposed infrastructure and facilities for visitors at this new community woodland, including a network of surfaced paths, café, community room and other community facilities on Hole Farm in Brentwood, Essex.
Scroll down to see artist impressions of the site.
The plans for the green space were designed and developed with the needs of local people in mind, with feedback from local people incorporated into the final planning application, which was given approval through the process of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for afforestation. The consent given by Brentwood Borough Council now clears the way for work to start on facilities including:
- A café
- A community room
- Visitor shelter
- Tree nursery
- A network of footpaths and new access points
- A network of ponds
- Visitors’ car park
While the whole site will be a community woodland, it will also serve other purposes for the Lower Thames Crossing. Planting on some of the site will provide compensation for the loss of ancient woodland and replacement public open space for Folkes Lane Woodland.
About Forestry England
Forestry England manage the nation’s forests. For over 100 years, Forestry England have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next. They have built walking, running and cycling trails, supplied England’s largest amount of sustainably-sourced timber, and conserved the habitats of thousands of plants and animals. Forests improve the health and wellbeing of everyone and, with careful planning and expert management, our forests will continue to thrive. They help to offset carbon emissions, restore eco-systems and provide people of all ages and abilities with fresh air and spaces to enjoy. Forestry England are always thinking beyond today, planning and planting forests that will help create a sustainable future.
First trees already growing
We planted the first trees at Hole Farm last year, with help from the local community. They are establishing well, and we will plant more this winter – look out for further updates on how you can get involved.
