News on HS2 in Warwickshire

In March a further £4 million was released to fund the creation and restoration of woodlands in areas ranging from London to the West Midlands, as part of HS2’s ongoing ecology programme.

The HS2 Woodland Fund is now a total grant scheme of £5 million and is aimed at helping landowners to create new native woodland and restore Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites. This follows the success of the first £1 million of the Fund that was committed to projects throughout 2018.

The Woodland Fund is open to applications from landowners located within 25 miles of the Phase One route of the high speed railway, which passes through parts of Greater London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, as well as the wider West Midlands. The fund aims to help local landowners create new native, broad leaf woodlands, especially where they connect or expand existing ancient woodland or connect semi-natural open habitats. It also provides financial support for the tree planting and associated items needed to protect them – this includes fencing and gates, as well natural flood management items.

To find out more about the Woodland Fund and how to apply you can visit the Forestry Commission website by clicking here

In January 2018 funding was awarded for Avon Wood in Warwickshire. You can read more about ecology and the project by clicking here.